Kanu faces late test

Portsmouth have midfielder Pedro Mendes back from suspension for the trip to Arsenal but Barclays Premiership joint top-scorer Kanu faces a late fitness test on a knee injury.

With Andy Cole (Achilles), Lomana LuaLua (thigh) and Benjani Mwaruwari (hamstring) all out, the Nigerian is Pompey’s only hope to play up front against his former club.

Centre-back Sol Campbell also returns to face former team-mates while Niko Kranjcar is pushing for a place in the starting line-up.

Provisional squad: James, Johnson, Primus, Campbell, Pamarot, O’Neil, Pedro Mendes, Davis, Taylor, Kranjcar, Kanu, Thompson, Hughes, Griffin, Douala, Koroman, O’Brien, Ashdown.