Paul Merson: Arsenal will comfortably win the Premier League this season

Guardiola is set to announce his future plans next week, when it is widely expected that he will confirm his decision to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Cech’s clean sheet in last weekend’s win at Aston Villa last weekend drew the 33-year-old level with David James for the record number of Premier League shut-outs – 169.

Pires spent six years at Arsenal under Wenger, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cup titles, and since the Frenchman left for Villarreal in 2006, the club have only won two FA Cup titles.

Arsenal could be five points off the top of the Premier league by Monday, with league-leaders Leicester City taking on Everton on Saturday.

‘Next Monday they have a big, big game when they host Manchester City. So, it is a very important game. We will assess if he is 100 per cent or not but he is working without problems.

Injuries are the only factor which could force City to change their plans not to buy in the January transfer window but Pellegrini has suggested this is unlikely.

City midfielder Fernando (hamstring) and defender Pablo Zabaleta (knee) are also still on the sidelines, while midfielder Samir Nasri (leg) is out long-term.

“It was a needed step for our team”.

“I do not want to assess any other things about Chelsea”, he said.

“Anything is possible this season because Arsenal have played well this season and are doing well”.

“You have to think Arsenal are probably going to go out of the Champions League to Barcelona, and Man City should go through against Dynamo Kiev”.

The Gunners sit second in the English standings, a point above the Citizens, who they take on in their high-profile League match-up on Monday night.

“You nearly didn’t believe it. When he arrived the players were buzzing and the fans were buzzing and I think that gave us all a massive lift”. If you look at Real Madrid, there is always speculation.