Arsenal vs Manchester City team news: Sergio Aguero returns but captain Vincent Kompany remains out

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is unable to confirm if Sergio Aguero will be fit to start the crucial game with Arsenal on 21 December, although he revealed the Argentine will be in his squad. The Chilean boss will also be without Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Fernando and Samir Nasri for the trip to Emirates Stadium, with the quartet remaining on the sidelines.

Aguero has missed the last two Premier League games – against Stoke City and Swansea City – after suffering an injury during the 3-1 victory over Southampton on 28 November. Pellegrini has confirmed that the 27-year-old striker trained with the rest of the squad in the build-up to the trip to North London and will be back in the squad.

"Aguero is working with the squad without problems. We'll assess him to see if he's 100% to start the game but I think he'll be in the squad on Monday," he said in a press conference ahead of the game.

The game comes too soon for captain Kompany, as well as Zabaleta, Fernando and Nasri.

"Pablo Zabaleta continues without working – I hope next week he'll start again.Vincent Kompany, Fernando and Nasri are also out," Pellegrini confirmed.

"Vincent is improving. I hope next week he'll start working with the squad."

The Citizens boss also criticised Chelsea's decision to sack Jose Mourinho. Despite having had a complicated relationship with the Portuguese tactician since their times as rival La Liga managers, Pellegrini said: "It's a difficult situation. The Premier League has lost an important manager. Maybe I disagree with him on a lot of things but he's not my enemy. It's a bad thing for the Premier League.

"It's not for me to miss him but the Premier League will miss him. The Premier League is better with Mourinho. I manage the team in a very different way to the way he does but that doesn't mean he's not a good manager or important for the league."