Silvestre set to face former club

Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre (back) hopes to be fit to face his former club after training today ahead of the Champions League semi-final, first leg at Manchester United.

Captain Cesc Fabregas (ankle/knee) and defender Johan Djourou (knee) also completed the session but leading scorer Robin van Persie (groin) and left-back Gael Clichy (back) remain sidelined, while Russian midfielder Andrey Arshavin is ineligible.

Centre-half William Gallas (knee) and long-term absentee Tomas Rosicky will miss the rest of the campaign.

Provisional squad: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Nasri, Song, Denilson, Fabregas, Walcott, Adebayor, Fabianski, Djourou, Eduardo, Bendtner, Diaby, Vela, Ramsey, Eboue.