Team news v Portsmouth: Rosicky possible return

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
28 Dec	3:00 PM	P	Portsmouth (A)	4	1	Win

Manager Arsène Wenger has hinted that tomorrow's match against Portsmouth may see the return of winger Tomas Rosicky.

However, the injury list is still extensive as striker Nicklas Bendtner, captain Cesc Fabregas and Denilson are all unavailable, together with known absentees Robin van Persie and Gaël Clichy.

Emmanuel Eboue is also unavailable as he has departed for national duty in the African Cup of Nations.

Bendtner, who was originally slated for a return before the end of the year, is still some way away from making a return.

Wenger said: "Rosicky I would say will be fit for Portsmouth or for West Ham [in the FA Cup on Sunday]. But Bendtner is three weeks away from returning.

"He had a hernia surgery and should be back from that already but he had a groin problem as well.

"The groin problem looks to last longer so they [the medical staff] say to me it will be three weeks."

With so many midfielders out, it paves the way for Abou Diaby and Aaron Ramsey to step up and command the midfield on Wednesday.

Wenger, paying tribute to Diaby, said: "He has played many games since the beginning of the season. He looks to grow in stature and now he is dominant in the fight and he scores goals.

"What is very interesting in this shape [4-3-3] is that Diaby and Fabregas can both score goals. We have not one but two players who come out from deep and are good runners as well.

"They can come from deep positions and score goals."

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