Nicolas Pepe back to full fitness for Arsenal’s game against Man City in huge boost to Ljungberg’s side

ARSENAL welcome Manchester City to Emirates Stadium on Sunday with Nicolas Pepe set to be fit after a knee knock.

The winger struck a sensational winner at West Ham in his last game but had to sit out the midweek draw with Standard Liege.

Emile Smith-Rowe and Reiss Nelson were given runouts for the Europa League game as a result but Pepe should return for City.

On Saturday, the club confirmed that bruising in his left knee was sustained against West Ham and that it has now cleared up.

Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg is without a number of first-teamers for the 4.30pm kick-off.

Full-backs Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are both ruled out with hamstring and shoulder issues, respectively.

While the Scot is expected to miss three months after a painful dislocation, Bellerin could be back for next weekend’s game with Everton.

Rob Holding sits out the clash with a knee problem and midfield duo Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos are also unavailable.

After being hit in the head by a powerful pass at close range on Monday, Xhaka suffered a concussion and the Gunners must follow certain protocols before reintroducing him to match action.

The visit of Pep Guardiola’s City gives Ljungberg the chance to go two-from-two in the Premier League after the comeback win at West Ham.

However any momentum was pulled back by the draw with Liege, which required two late goals to snatch.