First start in six months for Silva

Gilberto Silva made his first start for Arsenal in six months against the Barclays Premiership’s bottom club Norwich at Highbury this afternoon.

The Brazilian World Cup winner had been sidelined with a back injury but started in midfield as Patrick Vieira missed out because of a hip problem.

Thierry Henry recovered from a calf injury and captained the side. Dennis Bergkamp was not fit and so Jose Reyes partnered the Frenchman in attack, while Pascal Cygan started in central defence with youngster Philippe Senderos rested.

Norwich – without an away win all season and seven points adrift of safety - named an unchanged side from the one which lost at Bolton before the international break.

Striker Mathias Svensson was back on the bench after two months out with a knee problem but although on-loan Arsenal youngster David Bentley was also fit again, the midfielder missed out under the terms of his contract.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Cygan, Cole, Ljungberg, Flamini, Silva, Pires, Henry, Reyes. Subs: Van Persie, Fabregas, Clichy, Almunia, Eboue.

Norwich: Green, Edworthy, Fleming, Shackell, Drury, Stuart, Holt, Francis, Huckerby, Ashton, McKenzie. Subs: Safri, Svensson, Ward, Helveg, Doherty.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire)