Cole on subs bench for Gunners

Ashley Cole was included among the substitutes for Arsenal’s Barclays Premiership clash against Middlesbrough at Highbury – the first time the England full-back has been on first team duty since he fractured a bone in his foot during October.

Arsenal made a host of changes from the side which lost to Wigan in the semi-final of the Carling Cup in midweek, with Jens Lehmann, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Lauren and Cesc Fabregas recalled by manager Arsene Wenger.

Boro boss Steve McClaren was without injured Gareth Southgate but recalled Chris Riggott and Andrew Taylor to bolster the defence.

Fabio Rochemback started in midfield but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink had to settle for a place on the bench as Mark Viduka and Aiyegbeni Yakubu led the attack.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Djourou, Senderos, Cygan, Ljungberg, Silva, Fabregas, Pires, Henry, Reyes. Subs: Almunia, Hleb, Flamini, Cole, Lupoli.

Middlesbrough: Jones, Parnaby, Bates, Riggott, Taylor, Morrison, Rochemback, Doriva, Mendieta, Yakubu, Viduka. Subs: Schwarzer, Hasselbaink, Wheater, Johnson, Cattermole.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)