French duo back for Gunners

French strikers Sylvain Wiltord and Jeremie Aliadiere are back in business as Arsenal gather up their full firepower again for the final blast that could land them the Treble.

Wiltord, who has missed 22 games with an ankle injury since December 16, may be on his way out of Highbury in the summer having refused to sign a new contract, but could still have a key part to play in the run-in.

He was on target in his comeback game for Arsenal reserves against Luton at the Gunners’ Hertfordshire training base this week and finished the 90 minutes of the private, behind-closed-doors match without ill-effect.

Wiltord, who hit four goals in 12 starts before his injury problem, clipped an opportunist effort over the Luton goalkeeper to make it 3-0 in the 65th minute. Kanu, Michael Papadopulos and Anthony Stokes scored Arsenal’s other goals.

Meanwhile, Aliadiere celebrated his 21st birthday in Tilburg by scoring the France Under-21 side’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Holland.

Aliadiere missed most of last season, needing two operations to repair hernias and he has not been much luckier with injuries this term.

He made his first-team breakthrough with four Carling Cup goals in 10 senior appearances but then fell victim to knee and thigh injuries in January.

But Arsenal’s reserve manager Eddie Niedzwiecki has no doubt of Aliadiere’s class.

Former Chelsea and Wales goalkeeper Niedzwiecki said: “He’s got eight goals in six reserve games and I’m always happy to have him in my team.

“He makes a hell of a difference in the reserves. He is a real talent. He scored two against Derby for us the other night, one a great touch and the other a calm finish.

“It is a pleasure when he can turn out for my side but at the same time I want to see him playing for the first team on a regular basis. There is no reason he can’t make it.”

Gael Clichy, Arsenal’s 18-year-old left-back who again made a favourable impression against Manchester United on Sunday, made his France Under-21 debut as a substitute in Holland.