Premiership: Wenger expects bruising encounter

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says his title contenders would not be intimidated by the prospect of a physical battle at Leicester tonight.

At Highbury earlier this season, Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira and Leicester’s Dennis Wise were both sent off following a head-to-head clash.

Wise is out injured for tonight’s game, which was postponed from New Year’s Day, but Robbie Savage and Matt Elliott are among those who will give the relegation strugglers a tough, competitive edge at Filbert Street.

Wenger witnessed how Leicester battled against Newcastle, who are also title contenders, last weekend in holding them to a goalless draw.

‘‘We still expect a big battle because of what is at stake. It is a massive game for both sides but we are ready,’’ declared the Arsenal boss, whose side have incurred eight red cards themselves already this season.

‘‘Leicester did that against Newcastle last weekend and will try to do it again as they got a point out of that. When you are in this situation, you just fight and try to do your best.’’

Wenger insists that Martin Keown’s battling spirit in the 1-1 draw at Leeds last weekend epitomises the determination and belief in his squad.

‘‘That kind of commitment gives a positive message out of the team and shows how much the team want to win. In that kind of attitude, I believe he’s an example and a leader,’’ said the Arsenal boss.

Keown clashed with Mark Viduka during that game, but Wenger insisted there was no personal animosity between the two players even though the Australian faces a possible FA charge for elbowing the Arsenal defender.

‘‘I like to see these kind of fights where both are going for it,’’ said Wenger, who warned against ruling 35-year-old Keown out of the World Cup reckoning.

‘‘Where it goes overboard, the referee has to react and punish. But when you are a supporter and pay to watch a match, you want to see that kind of commitment.’’

While Keown is likely to be at the heart of the Arsenal defence again tonight, the Gunners are still without Lauren and Kanu, who are away on international duty at the African Nations’ Cup.

Swedish international Fredrik Ljungberg is also ruled out through injury, although he could be back in two to three weeks an improvement on early bulletins after suffering rib, ankle and knee problems.

‘‘He does the job of a midfielder and score goals, so that is a significant absence,’’ admitted Wenger.

‘‘We still have enough midfielders to compensate for that but he makes those runs that make him quite important.

‘‘Certainly he’s one of the most improved players in the past three years. Every year he has made a step up. You will see that against England in a few months’ time.’’

Giovanni van Bronckhorst is expected to partner Vieira, with Wenger dismissing reports that he has reached a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to allow the Frenchman to leave the club for Real Madrid this summer.

Arsenal have nevertheless been linked with a possible £13million move for PSV Eindhoven’s Dutch international midfielder Mark van Bommel as Vieira’s supposed replacement.

Wenger responded: ‘‘I rate van Bommel highly but we’re not in the market at all for anybody. I’m very happy with the squad that I have and we won’t go out and buy.’’