Vieira out of Greek clash with ankle injury

PATRICK VIEIRA will miss Arsenal’s Champions League match against Panathinaikos tomorrow and is a major doubt for the Old Trafford clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

The Highbury captain suffered a sprained ankle during Arsenal's 3-1 home win on Saturday and manager Arsene Wenger said: "There's a big problem after the way I've seen him limping."

Vieira is determined to be fit to face United in what has become a crucial clash for Alex Ferguson's team, who are 11 points behind Wenger's table toppers after their 0-0 draw at Birmingham.

United will be desperate to stop Arsenal from going 50 consecutive league games unbeaten and some of this has already shown in Fergie's comments, accusing Arsenal of being "a mob" and "getting away with murder" in last season's goalless meeting which led to four Gunners being suspended.

Vieira's absence gives Brazilian Edu a chance tomorrow night to show he is worth a new contract, which he has so far failed to negotiate with Arsenal.

With Gilberto Silva recovering from a back injury and Dennis Bergkamp missing the match against the Greeks because of his unwillingness to fly, Wenger's options are limited.

Freddie Ljungberg is set to return after missing Saturday's game with a hamstring problem and Edu is likely to be paired with teenager Francesc Fabregas in central midfield, with Jose Antonio Reyes moved forward as the support striker to Thierry Henry.

Edu's deal expires at the end of the season and unless an agreement is reached, the likelihood is he will be sold in January with Barcelona willing to offer a contract of around £35,000 a week. United have also been linked with the player.

Villa defender Olof Mellberg believes Arsenal will take another step to the knock-out stages tomorrow.

"They have so much quality and in Thierry Henry they have probably the best striker in the world," he said.