Pires poised to return

Robert Pires is set to return to Arsenal’s starting line-up at Fulham on Sunday after being rested from the midweek trip to Portsmouth.

Boss Arsene Wenger is still expected to be without Sylvain Wiltord (ankle), Edu (eye injury), Gilberto Silva (hamstring) and Pascal Cygan (ankle).

But Dennis Bergkamp, who was also rested at Fratton Park, will similarly be hoping for a recall as Arsenal look to extend their unbeaten league run since the start of the season to 37 games.

Provisional squad: Lehmann, Shaaban, Stack, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Keown, Cole, Clichy, Vieira, Parlour, Pires, Ljungberg, Bentley, Reyes, Henry, Bergkamp, Kanu, Aliadiere.