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.