Patrick Vieira is winning his battle to be fit for tomorrow night's classic Premiership showdown with Manchester United at Highbury. And Arsenal could also have influential midfielder Robert Pires back in the side after an ankle injury.
Vieira was rated only a '50-50 chance' to face Alex Ferguson's new table-toppers in the Premiership title-battle after he came off with less than an hour played of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final win over Sheffield United. But Vieira has since suggested that his premature exit through a knee injury was mainly a calculated gamble although also a precaution with the midweek game in mind.
"I wanted to come off because I was worried about doing more damage," he said, but reports indicate that the injury, which Vieira has been carrying for several weeks, has settled down again.
It can be assumed that manager Arsene Wenger will give his dynamic captain every opportunity to start the key game of the season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United's David Beckham and Fabien Barthez will be fit for the vital clash. Beckham missed United's weekend hammering of Newcastle with a hamstring injury while Barthez picked up a toe injury late in the 6-2 win. But both players have recovered and should start against the Gunners.
However, doubts remain over the fitness of captain Roy Keane, fellow Irishman John O'Shea and Welsh winger Ryan Giggs, although manager Alex Ferguson is confident at least one of the trio will make tomorrow night's starting line-up.
Filed by Shane Murray
