Danny Welbeck could make his Arsenal debut when they host Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
The striker celebrated his deadline-day move from Manchester United by scoring both goals in England's 2-0 win over Switzerland on Monday.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will hope that is a sign of things to come, with Welbeck poised to get a long run in his desired central position due to the long-term injury to Olivier Giroud.
Welbeck's old Manchester enemies are the visitors to the Emirates Stadium this weekend in a battle between two teams with genuine title ambitions.
Both sides are yet to convince this campaign, though, with Arsenal having relied on late goals to stay unbeaten and the Citizens having already slipped up.
City suffered a surprising 1-0 home defeat to Stoke City prior to the international break, but have not lost consecutive top-flight matches since 2010.
Heading into a week in which they also play Bayern Munich and Chelsea, Manuel Pellegrini has injury concerns over three regulars, with Stevan Jovetic back on the treatment table following a promising start to the season.
The Montenegro captain missed large chunks of last term due to fitness issues, but had given his City career new life with two goals in their first three games.
Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko are likely to play up front in his absence, while Fernandinho could reprise his midfield partnership with Yaya Toure after summer signing Fernando limped off against the Potters.
Bacary Sagna, who made 286 appearances during a seven-year spell with Arsenal, could play against the Gunners for the first time since he left them on a free transfer in May, with Pablo Zabaleta carrying a knock.
Big-money buy Eliaquim Mangala has been warned that he must fight for his place in the side, and the £32m defender may again have to settle for a place on a City bench which could include Frank Lampard for the first time.
Key midfielder Aaron Ramsey has eased fears over his fitness after hurting his ankle while playing for Wales, but is still a major doubt for the home side.
Wenger may stick with the steel of Mathieu Flamini in midfield rather than recall Jack Wilshere, who was benched for the 1-1 draw with Leicester City.
Goalless striker Yaya Sanogo is likely to be dropped to make way for Welbeck, who has been tipped by many to thrive on service from the likes of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez.
Theo Walcott is still weeks away from returning to first-team contention, while Kieran Gibbs has been out of the team with injury and may find that Nacho Monreal has done enough to keep his place at left-back.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 19 Premier League home games and beat the Blues 3-0 in the Community Shield a month ago.
Recent form
Arsenal: DWDDWW
Man City: LWWL
Possible starting lineups
Arsenal: Szczesny; Debuchy, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Arteta, Flamini; Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck
Man City: Hart; Sagna, Demichelis, Kompany, Kolarov; Silva, Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri; Aguero, Dzeko
Sports Mole says: 1-2
Joe Fish
