Arshavin back to boost Arsenal attack

The diminutive Russian was sent home from training last week due to illness, forcing him to miss the club's humiliating 4-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

And having also missed Arsenal's 3-1 Champions League semi-final defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson's side through ineligibility, the 27-year-old is chomping at the bit to return and help Arsene Wenger's side delay United's Premier League title party.

But despite having the former Zenit St Petersburg star - who has netted six goals in 10 league appearances since arriving in February - back in attack, Wenger expects to be without injured quartet William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Manuel Almunia and Eduardo at the weekend.

“Andrey Arshavin is fully fit,” he told his club's official website.

Gallas, Clichy, Eduardo and Almunia won’t be available but everyone else will be.  

“Almunia has a little chance to play against Stoke. I want to play the players who have played the most games against Stoke so if he is available he will play.”

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Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.