Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas is likely to miss Saturday’s Premier League clash against Hull City because of a hamstring injury he picked up against Burnley last weekend.
The midfielder opened the scoring against the Lancashire side before he was forced off through injury.
The Spain player missed out on Arsenal’s rampant 5 nil rout against Porto on Tuesday, in which they appeared to cope well without the inspirational international.
In absence of the captain Samir Nasri stepped up to score an outstanding solo effort, after embarking on a devastating run past successive Porto defenders to fire-home a potential goal of the season, leaving him in strong contention to again start in-place of the injured Fabregas on Saturday.
Nicklas Bendter is also likely to start after silencing critics with an impressive hat-trick in the 6-2 aggregate victory over the Portuguese side.
Arsenal may be without defender William Gallas, who was ruled out ahead of the Porto game with a calf injury.
Hull City have been on a dire run of form, having won just once this year in their surprise 2 – 1 victory over Manchester City in early February.
They will be without defender Anthony Gardner, who is out with ankle ligament damage sustained in a defeat at West Ham last month.
Tigers midfielder Jimmy Bullard is also doubtful for the fixture.
If victorious Arsenal could go top of the Premier League this weekend if rivals Chelsea and Man Utd fail to win.
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
ARSENAL: Almunia, Eboue, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Clichy, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky, Walcott, Arshavin, Bendtner
HULL: Myhill, McShane, Mouyokolo, Zayatte, Dawson, Fagan, Boateng, Cairney, Hunt, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Altidore
ISLINGTON NOW PREDICTION
HULL 1 – 3 ARSENAL
Image credit – The Sunday Times
