Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger welcomes back Theo Walcott and
Denilson for Wednesday's Barclays Premier League visit of Bolton
but looks set to be without Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey for three
weeks.
England star Walcott has been struggling with a rib injury
while Brazilian Denilson has been hindered by an abdominal problem
but both will be in contention to face Owen Coyle's Trotters in the
rearranged match at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "They are available for
Wednesday night. It is a big boost to have them back of course
because they were out for a while and it gives us some fresh
players as well and it's very good.
"He (Walcott) was unlucky with some small niggling injuries
and now it is good to have him back."
Nasri and Ramsey picked up knocks before yesterday's 2-0
league win at Bolton and are likely to need three weeks to recover,
although Wenger is optimistic they could be back earlier than that.
"Samir Nasri and Ramsey are both out for 21 days," the
Frenchman continued. "Let's say we can have a good surprise with
both because they are usually quick recovering players but our
common sense tells us 21 days."
Wenger is also hopeful Nicklas Bendtner will be back in
action soon.
The Danish striker has not played since the end of October
due to a groin injury but the Gunners boss thinks he will be
available for the Premier League trip to Villa Park on Wednesday
week.
"Nicklas Bendtner should be back for the Villa game," said
Wenger. "He should be available from next week onwards. Maybe not
completely ready for Stoke (in FA Cup fourth round on Sunday) but
after that he should be able to be in the squad."
Fran Merida looks set to be the only other absentee from the
squad that beat Bolton 2-0 yesterday.
"We lost Fran Merida, who unfortunately got kicked straight
away when he came on and his ankle was very bad today and that is
all we should lose," Wenger added.
Yesterday's triumph took Arsenal to within three points of
Premier League leaders Chelsea and knowing victory on Wednesday by
two goals would put them top of the pile on goal difference before
the break in action for the FA Cup fourth round this weekend.
"It is important psychologically - not mathematically so
much," Wenger said.
"We have a good opportunity to do it so we have to focus."
The north London club looked unlikely title contenders when
they found themselves 11 points off the pace following a 3-0 home
defeat by Chelsea in late November.
But they have gradually clawed back that deficit, even with a
lengthy absentee list that also includes Robin van Persie.
Wenger is hopeful the Holland forward, out since November
with a long-term ankle injury, will feature in the final month of
the season.
"He has come back (to the training ground) and is doing as
well as you can at that stage," Wenger told arsenal.com.
"He is out of his boot and walks normally but he thinks he
will be playing mid-April."
Meanwhile, Wenger believes he has a new "midfield general" in
Cesc Fabregas and he will look to the Spain international to
deliver in a crucial run of matches over the next month.
Wenger has been criticised in the past for not signing an
'enforcer' - in the mould of someone like former Gunners captain
Patrick Vieira, who has just joined Manchester City - to ease the
burden on the 22-year-old.
But Fabregas showed with yesterday's impressive performance -
where he scored his 10th league goal of the season and had a hand
in the second - he is quite capable of dominating a game.
And he is set to play a pivotal role in Arsenal's Premier
League title bid as, after the Gunners host Bolton on Wednesday,
they then face Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and
Liverpool in successive games.
"He looks like a real general in midfield now and, of course,
that helps as we go into a period of important games," said Wenger,
who believes all his squad have grown into genuine title
contenders.
"It was a test of character (at the Reebok Stadium) and they
have shown plenty - which is very good news for us.
"Over the years our strength has increased and we showed we
have matured - we know when to go for the fights and we know when
to put the ball down.
"Without a doubt there is still more to come because we are a
young team.
"We have a very tough run of games coming up but let's be
focused on the next one and keep it simple."
Arsenal have not won any silverware since their 2005 FA Cup
victory over Manchester United but Wenger claims his squad now
believe they can win their first title for six years.
"When the season started, we were not all convinced in our
squad maybe that we could be where we are today," he added.
"Now that we are there, we want to have a go."
