Fabregas set to return at the Emirates

World Cup finalists Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie were named on the Arsenal bench for the Barclays Premier League clash against Blackpool at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners were forced to adjust the team which snatched a late 1-1 draw at Liverpool last weekend, with midfielder Alex Song dropping into defence to cover for suspended Laurent Koscielny.

With Samri Nasri out for a month after picking up a knee injury, Tomas Rosicky came in, as did England forward Theo Walcott. Jack Wilshere started his second successive Premier League match at the centre of midfield, while unsettled goalkeeper Manuel Almunia again captained the side.

Blackpool recorded a stunning 4-0 win at Wigan on their top-flight debut, and made just one change, with Ludovic Sylvestre replacing Brett Ormerod in attack. New signing Dekel Keinan, the Israeli defender, was on the bench.