Mertesacker missing for Arsenal

Arsenal will be without German centre-half Per Mertesacker for tomorrow’s Champions League last 16 first-leg clash at AC Milan because of the ankle injury he sustained in the Barclays Premier League victory at Sunderland.

Kieran Gibbs is fit again following a groin problem, and so could slot in at left-back allowing Thomas Vermaelen to move across into his favoured role alongside Laurent Koscielny, while Swiss international Johan Djourou is another option.

Striker Thierry Henry – who came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner at the Stadium of Light – plays his last match before returning to New York Red Bulls.

Gervinho has finished international duty at the African Nations Cup, but the Ivory Coast forward, who missed a penalty in the final shoot-out defeat to Zambia – is not due back until later this week.

Defenders Carl Jenkinson (back) and Andre Santos (ankle) are still out, along with midfielders Abou Diaby (hamstring) and Jack Wilshere (ankle).

Provisional Squad: Szczesny, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Sagna, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, van Persie, Fabianski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Henry, Coquelin, Benayoun, Park, Djourou.