Van Persie returns for Gunners

Arsenal will welcome back striker Robin van Persie from a muscular problem for tomorrow’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg against north London rivals Tottenham at Emirates Stadium.

Winger Theo Walcott is also in the squad having recovered from a shoulder problem which kept him out of the FA Cup win at Burnley, with manager Arsene Wenger set to again field a young side.

Centre-back Kolo Toure, winger Emmanuel Eboue and utility man Alex Song are all away on international duty at the African Nations Cup.

Team (from): Fabianski, J Hoyte, Senderos, Djourou, Traore, Diaby, Gilberto, Denilson, Diarra, Eduardo, Bendtner, Mannone, Walcott, G Hoyte, Randall, Lansbury, Gibbs, Perez, van Persie.