Whilst the news that Emmanuel Eboue has made a surprisingly quick return to fitness in time for tomorrow’s Carling Cup Quarter-Final at home to Wigan Athletic may be welcome, it will once again prevent Havard Nordtveit from making his competitive debut for Arsenal.

Nordtveit, who joined the club in 2007 and, after an impressive first season in North London embarked on three varying loan spells, has been on the periphery of the first-team squad so far this season, impressing in pre-season before making the bench for the trip to Newcastle United in the previous round. The Norwegian was hopeful of making the starting line-up tomorrow but, following Eboue’s return, he will be amongst the substitutes once more.

Manager Arsene Wenger will stick with his new-found policy of fielding a strong side in the competition, although Wojciech Szczesny will get another chance to shine in goal, whilst Craig Eastmond is likely to partner Denilson in holding midfield. With plenty of attacking resources at his disposal, Wenger may be forced to leave out Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from the starting line-up once again, with Nicklas Bendtner likely to assume the lone striker role and Robin van Persie possibly operating behind him, flanked by Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela.

Meanwhile, under-18s coach Steve Bould will have a little extra time to prepare his players for their FA Youth Cup exploits after Arsenal’s third round tie with Darlington, scheduled for Wednesday night, was postponed. The match will now take place on December 14th, with Bould hopeful that, by that time, Benik Afobe will have returned from his loan spell with Huddersfield Town and influential midfielder Josh Rees will have recovered from injury.

Possible team

Szczesny

Eboue-Koscielny-Djourou-Gibbs

Denilson-Eastmond

Walcott-van Persie-Vela

Bendtner

subs: Fabianski, Nordtveit, Emmanuel Thomas, Clichy, Song, Rosicky, Arshavin.



