Alumunia back for Arsenal

Arsenal welcomed back goalkeeper Manuel Almunia from an ankle injury for today’s Barclays Premier League clash with relegation-battlers Middlesbrough at Emirates Stadium.

Bacary Sagna, who has been suffering with a virus, dropped to the bench with Emmanuel Eboue expected to fill in at right-back, and Theo Walcott started in the other change from the team which drew 4-4 at Liverpool.

Emmanuel Adebayor was back among the substitutes following a hamstring problem, but leading scorer Robin van Persie (groin) missed out again.

Boro, currently in the drop zone, had midfielder Gary O’Neil back from suspension while former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere faced his old club.