Gunners wait on van Persie

Arsenal will be without suspended midfielder Gilberto and are awaiting news on the fitness of forward Robin van Persie (ankle) ahead of Sunday’s Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester United.

Mathieu Flamini is in contention to step into midfield, while Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is also now fit again following his thigh injury.

Right-back Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) is pressing hard for a recall, but both Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) and William Gallas (thigh) remain a couple of weeks away.

Provisional squad: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky, Henry, Van Persie, Almunia, Adebayor, Baptista, Diaby, Djourou, Hoyte, Aliadiere.