Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game.
Kieran Gibbs misses out but the left-back should be available for the weekend's FA Cup tie with Leeds after recovering from an ankle injury.
Midfielder Abou Diaby (calf), goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (ankle) and centre-back Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) remain on the sidelines.
Manchester City pair David Silva and Mario Balotelli have been ruled out of the game having failed to recover from their respective knee injuries
"It is a big problem," admitted manager Roberto Mancini.
"Neither of them will be available."
Silva in particular will be a huge loss at the Emirates given his growing influence on the Blues in recent weeks.
"David has been an important player for us and has been doing well recently," said Mancini.
"Hopefully, he will be back for the Wolves game on January 15. Mario might be back for the FA Cup tie at Leicester on Sunday."
City have not beaten the Gunners away from home since 1975 but know victory this time would open a five-point gap on Arsene Wenger's men.
Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Clichy, Djourou, Koscielny, Sagna, Fabregas, Walcott, Arshavin, Song, Nasri, Wilshere, Denilson, van Persie, Squillaci, Eboue, Bendtner, Szczesny, Rosicky.
Manchester City (from): Hart, Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Boateng, K Toure, Kompany, Boyata, Kolarov, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Johnson, De Jong, Vieira, Milner, Y Toure, Barry, Tevez, Adebayor, Jo.
