Preview: Arsenal v Aston Villa February 29 2008
Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal will not rush striker Robin van Persie back from his thigh injury ahead of Saturday's clash with Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.
Nicklas Bendtner is in line to partner leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor in attack following Eduardo's season-ending injury.
Midfielder Abou Diaby should return to the squad following three weeks out with a calf problem, while defender Kolo Toure (knee) is still out but could return against AC Milan in the Champions League next week.
Emmanuel Eboue is suspended tomorrow, while Alex Song (knee), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Johan Djourou (groin) remain sidelined.
Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg looks like winning his battle to be fit for after returning to training following an ankle injury which forced him to miss the win at Reading.
The Swedish international was the first player to score at the Emirates Stadium in Villa's 1-1 draw on the opening day of last season at the beginning of the Martin O'Neill reign.
The Juventus bound Mellberg is likely to replace Craig Gardner at right-back with O'Neill needing his experience against the league leaders.
Midfielder Patrik Berger has recovered from a hamstring problem and could challenge for a place on the substitutes' bench.
Squads:
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Bendtner, Adebayor, Lehmann, J Hoyte, Denilson, Gilberto, Traore, Lansbury, G Hoyte.
Aston Villa: Carson, Taylor, Mellberg, Gardner, Laursen, Davies, Knight, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Berger, Osbourne, Petrov, Carew, Maloney, Harewood.