Gunners trio back for Shakhtar Donetsk clash

Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner and Jack Wilshere all return to the Arsenal starting XI for tonight’s Champions League Group H clash at Shakhtar Donetsk, while there is a surprise start for youngster Craig Eastmond.

Wilshere has completed a three-match domestic ban, while Walcott and Bendtner are out to show they have regained full match sharpness following injury.

Captain Cesc Fabregas, Denilson, Alex Song and Andrey Arshavin, laid low with a virus, have all remained in London, which meant Eastmond, 19, partners Wilshere in midfield for a first European appearance.

Former Arsenal striker Eduardo, who had scored in the Ukrainians’ 5-1 defeat at Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago, faces his old club.

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov, Srna, Chygrynskiy, Rakitskiy, Rat, Gai, Hubschman, Jadson, Eduardo, Willian, Luiz Adriano.

Subs: Khudzamov, Kucher, Kobin, Stepanenko, Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Moreno.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Eastmond, Wilshere, Walcott, Rosicky, Nasri, Bendtner.

Subs: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vela, Chamakh, Emmanuel-Thomas, Lansbury.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).