Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini expects Eliaquim Mangala to make his debut when the Premier League resumes next week.
The central defender is yet to feature for the Citizens but could feature against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
"He can bring a lot. He is a very strong defender, who is very fast," Pellegrini told Sky Sports.
"He is only 23 so he can still improve a lot, which is what we were looking for.
"We are helping him to settle here in Manchester and after the international break he will be able to play.
The manager did however stress that the 23-year-old will face competition to secure a regular place in the side's defensive department.
"We need the three of them," Pellegrini added on his defenders.
"Like I have said about the strikers, it's the same with the defenders.
"We have so many games to play.
"At the moment Demichelis and Kompany are playing well but that doesn't mean that Mangala can't play as well.
"He will have his time to play, and then it will depend on his performances for the team."
Pellegrini's men will be determined to get all three points against Arsene Wenger's Arsenal to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea.
