Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, van Persie, Adebayor, Lehmann, Song, J Hoyte, Senderos, Gilberto, Denilson, Bendtner.

Premier League leaders Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of England Under-21 international Theo Walcott (thigh) ahead of the visit of Middlesbrough. Winger Emmanuel Eboue is available again following a three-match domestic suspension, but Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) remain sidelined. Fit-again defender Kolo Toure and striker Robin van Persie are pressing for a recall having come off the bench at Wigan but Eduardo is out for the remainder of the campaign with a broken leg.

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Pogatetz, Huth, O'Neil, Boateng, Shawky, Downing, Tuncay, Mido, Alves, Turnbull, Rochemback, Johnson, Grounds, Cattermole, Taylor, Aliadiere.

Strikers Afonso Alves and Jeremie Aliadiere return to the Middlesbrough squad. Record signing Alves has shaken off the illness which forced him to miss Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. Aliadiere is available to face his old club after serving a suspension, increased to four matches from three after the club's appeal against his red card at Liverpool was deemed "frivolous" by the FA. Boro manager Gareth Southgate must decide whether to continue with George Boateng and Mohamed Shawky in central midfield or recall Fabio Rochemback and Julio Arca. Left-back Andrew Taylor played an hour for the reserves in midweek after a long-term foot problem, but the game has come too soon for him to start.