Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says central defender Martin Keown is not fit enough to start the crucial Champions League match against Inter Milan in London on Tuesday.
A calf problem ruled Keown out of the 3-0 Premiership win over Birmingham on Saturday and Wenger said the England international had still not fully recovered.
”Martin Keown will not start. He has been out for a long time. He is not ready to play. Even if he does not start he will help us to focus,” Wenger told a press conference on Monday.
The absence of the experienced Keown is a blow to Arsenal, who must win the match to keep alive their slim hopes of finishing in the top two of Group B and qualifying for the last 16 of the competition.
French defender Pascal Cygan could retain his place at the heart of the defence after starting his first Premiership match of the season on Saturday.
Wenger said Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva was also a doubt after returning from international duty with a muscle problem.
”I am not sure he will start the game,” said the manager.
Wenger pointed to the 3-1 away victory over Roma last year as essential experience for the Premiership leaders who have failed so often in Europe’s biggest club competition.
”We are really focused and we want to get a result here. My players have the quality to be there and the right spirit to get a result.
”We have done it before, in Roma. It is a good example to follow. We always try to win. We will not change our attitude for this game.”
Arsenal must also do without French striker Sylvain Wiltord, who is still struggling from the groin injury that kept him out of the Birmingham match.
Midfielder Ray Parlour is back from a one-match domestic suspension, but Patrick Vieira and Lauren, who would have been available despite being banned in England, are sidelined with thigh and knee problems respectively.
Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp, who refuses to fly, has a hamstring injury and would not have lined up anyway.
Inter will book their ticket for the knockout phase if they win. — Sapa-AFP