Arsenal go into their crucial clash at Villa Park on Wednesday evening, confident of getting a result, and with a stronger side available than the one the one that succumbed to Stoke in the fourth round FA Cup loss three days ago. The Gunners will be boosted by the welcome news that Nicklas Bendtner is back from his three months out due to a hernia operation and groin trouble, and looks set for a place on the substitute’s bench. Bacary Sagna is still affected by a shoulder complaint, but Arsene Wenger believes his first choice right-back will nevertheless start against Aston Villa.  

                              

 

Aaron Ramsey and Samir Nasri complete the returning Gunners who will go out hoping to secure more than the one point they managed when these two sides last clashed in the Midlands on Boxing Day in 2008. On that day, Arsenal raced into a two-goal lead, only to let Villa back in to claim a dramatic point with virtually the last kick of the game. Wenger will not want this side give Villa too much possession as they did thirteen months ago when the home side mounted attack after attack and could so easily have been out of sight. Arsenal will remember their comfortable 3-0 win over Villa at The Emirates Stadium last month when Cesc Fabregas came off the bench with a match winning cameo role.

Challenge
The Arsenal captain will have his side focussed for what promises to be a tough challenge in the Midlands, on a night when the Gunners came reclaim top Premiership spot. Wenger has stressed that he would only add to his squad if the quality he needed became available and would also improve his team. With Bendtner now back, Wenger accepts that his return will feel like a new signing in itself. "Bendtner has qualities that are important in the squad. He's a good player and he is tall as well,” said Wenger. "He will be on the bench, Nasri will be there too. They have had [only] one training session but we are short. Sagna has a shoulder injury that is still not completely clear. But he will start the game."

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