Walcott returns for Cup tie

Theo Walcott returned to the Arsenal bench from a four-month lay-off with a shoulder injury for this afternoon’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Burnley.

Striker Eduardo was named captain on his return to the side after a hamstring problem, having made a scoring comeback from a year out with a broken leg in the last round against Cardiff.

Andrei Arshavin was given another chance to impress, as he will be ineligible for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Roma, while Pole Lukasz Fabianski came in to goal and leading scorer Robin van Persie was rested from the starting line-up and named among the substitutes.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle had already masterminded one win over the Gunners this season, beating a young side in the Carling Cup at Turf Moor back in December.

The Clarets, chasing promotion to the Barclays Premier League, were without on-loan Middlesbrough full-back Rhys Williams and suspended Michael Duff.

Ex-Bradford and Leeds forward Robbie Blake led the attack, while former Manchester United youngster Chris Eagles was also in the starting XI.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Gibbs, Eduardo, Song Billong, Diaby, Vela, Eboue, Arshavin.

Subs: Almunia, Van Persie, Walcott, Ramsey, Clichy, Bendtner, Bischoff.

Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Caldwell, Carlisle, Kalvenes, McDonald, McCann, Gudjonsson, Eagles, Paterson, Blake.

Subs: Penny, Elliott, Mahon, Rodriguez, Jordan, MacDonald, Thompson.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)