By Richard Clarke
Philippe Senderos has been passed fit for the visit of
Birmingham on Saturday.
The centre back was one of three players who picked up injuries
during Wednesday's Carling Cup Semi-Final with Tottenham.
Robin van Persie's thigh problem does not appear serious
but he has been sidelined with flu while
Johan Djourou is out with a groin problem. Senderos completed
the trio but his medial knee ligament trouble appears to have
cleared. It is welcome news because, with
Kolo Toure and
Alex Song at the African Nations Cup, Wenger admits his
defensive options are limited.
"Djourou is out, Van Persie is out but Philippe is fit,"
said Wenger. "There is not much choice [in defence] but I
think Justin Hoyte did well at centre back in the second half. He
has not all the reflexes of a centre back yet but we will continue
to work with him in this position. He has a good chance to play as
well."
Theo Walcott is available despite picking up a knock on
Wednesday.
Emmanuel Eboue is also on duty at the African Nations Cup.
Despite all the absences, Wenger is still unlikely to go into the
transfer market during the January window but he has not yet
slammed it shut.
"Let's first see how it goes in the next three
games," he said. "There will be a few days left even
after the Tottenham game, we can still do something then if it was
needed."
