Vieira sidelined for two weeks as injury flares again after Kiev outing

ARSENAL’S decision to plunge Patrick Vieira back into action against Dynamo Kiev appears to have backfired following the news their captain is set for another spell on the sidelines after a recurrence of his thigh injury.

The influential Frenchman made his first appearance for almost a month on Tuesday night albeit a 30-minute run-out as a substitute in the Gunners' 2-1 defeat in Ukraine which has left their Champions League campaign in disarray.

But he is now facing up to a further lay-off of "at least two more weeks" after the problem sustained against Newcastle on September 26 flared up again.

Manager Arsene Wenger admitted he could have been too eager have his talismanic midfielder available as Arsenal went in search of their first Champions League win for almost a year.

"Patrick has had a setback and he will be out again for a few weeks," revealed Wenger on Arsenal's official website, www.arsenal.com.

Vieira, one of five Arsenal players facing a Football Association disciplinary charge following the ugly scenes after their match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, now faces a race against time to be fit for the north London derby with Spurs on November 8.

Wenger also has problems at the back where Martin Keown, also facing an FA charge, is expected to be out for at least another fortnight with a calf problem.

However, Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg should be available for Sunday's trip to Charlton after shaking off his ankle problem.

Meanwhile Chelsea skipper John Terry claimed he would not swap Carlo Cudicini for any other goalkeeper in the Premiership after the Italian silenced the doubters with a commanding Champions' League display against Lazio.

Cudicini's howler allowed Thierry Henry to net the winner for Arsenal against the Blues on Saturday, but he proved that error was no more than a minor blip as he made crucial second-half saves from Luciano Zauri and Bernardo Corradi to ensure Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners.

And Terry believes Cudicini's performance is further proof that he is the best goalkeeper in the business.

"There is no other goalkeeper in the Premiership that I would rather have," Terry insisted.

"Everyone makes mistakes throughout the season, but Carlo makes very few and, apart from against Arsenal, I can't remember the last time he made one.

"As a defender you know that, if a striker gets past you, it will still be extremely difficult for him to score if Carlo is in goal."

England defender Terry, who also made an outstanding block to deny Corradi late on, believes four more points will see Chelsea into the last 16 after they went two points clear at the top of Group G by defeating Lazio on Wednesday night.

The Blues travel to the Stadio Olimpico for the return fixture in 12 days' time before they host Sparta Prague, who are level with Lazio on four points, on November 26.