MIDFIELD POSERS FOR WENGER
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces a selection crisis in midfield as he prepares his Barclays Premier League leaders for Saturday's visit of struggling Wigan.
The Gunners were already without the suspended Cesc Fabregas, and the international break has not been kind.
Alex Hleb has picked up a hamstring problem which could keep the Belarus winger out for up to a month, while Mathieu Flamini injured his thigh on duty with France, when he made his international debut.
Abou Diaby is also struggling with a back problem and experienced Brazilian Gilberto faces a long return trip from South America.
The Arsenal manager admits he will have to utilise his squad to the full, so the likes of Denilson and Lassana Diarra are set to be in contention as the Gunners look to extend their unbeaten run to 28 games.
Wenger told
www.arsenal.com: "Hleb came back with a hamstring injury, so once again we lose someone during this [international] period. I think he'll be out for 21 days.
"Flamini came back with a little thigh problem too. That will be one week maximum."
Wenger added: "Gilberto will return very, very late. In fact he only comes back on Friday. So, as for the rest of the squad, we'll see."
Defender Philippe Senderos (back) is available again, but Robin van Persie will not be in contention as he continues rehabilitation on a knee problem.
Young Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner is pressing for a recall following an impressive international break, when a second goal in five days during the comfortable 3-0 win over Iceland having also been on target against Northern Ireland.
Theo Walcott impressed for the England Under-21s away to Portugal in what was one highlight for the national set-up this week.
The Gunners, and boss Wenger in particular, have often been criticised for the lack of domestic talent in their squad.
Full-back Gael Clichy, though, maintains restricting the number of foreigners in English football would not necessarily be beneficial.
"The nationality is not the main important thing, it is just the quality you want your team to play," said the Frenchman.
"The boss has made something great here, the way we like to entertain people, and I am sure that it doesn't matter for him.
"If you have to see about a player if they are English, French or Spanish, if he has the quality he will be in his team, and if not he won't be in his team. Let the manager do the job."
Clichy told Arsenal TV Online: "I think everyone is proud to say they play in the best league in the world because with all the players here, and the English players, we are making something good."
