Adebayor, Clichy and Eboue all back for Anfield test
Liverpool v Arsenal
Barclays Premiership
Anfield
Sat, Mar 31, 2007, 12.45pm
By Richard Clarke
Arsenal will welcome back three first-team players when they return to Premiership action at Liverpool on Saturday.
Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) have recovered from injuries during the international break. Meanwhile Emmanuel Adebayor is available after serving his suspension.
When he spoke to Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon, Arsène Wenger had only one new injury worry. Gilberto hurt his hip in Brazil’s 1-0 victory over Ghana and faces a fitness test on Friday.
“We have good news over the injuries from the international games,” said Wenger. “The only doubt we have is Gilberto who had a kick on his hip. He will have a test on Friday. Apart from the fatigue factor everybody else looks OK. Eboue and Clichy are fit and they are back in the squad.”
The Arsenal manager believes the return of Adebayor is particularly significant.
“It is important for us,” said Wenger. “With the number of strikers we have out, his presence, physical ability and penetration power means it is good to have him back. We have been punished very hard with Adebayor so it is a relief to have him with us again.”
Arsenal TV Online subscribers will be able to see the full interview on Friday morning. In it, Wenger talks about: the flak flying over England’s performances, Abou Diaby’s French debut, Theo Walcott’s operation, Thierry Henry’s timetable for fitness, the fight for second and third place, the progress of Rafa Benitez’s side since they lifted the Champions League trophy and the first year of Emirates Stadium.