Jonathan Woodgate will make his debut for home-town club Middlesbrough against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Real Madrid defender is expected to start, while fellow new arrival Jason Euell could also be involved.
Full-back Andrew Taylor (calf) is fit, but Chris Riggott is out for up to eight weeks after damaging ankle ligaments in training, while Robert Huth (ankle), Julio Arca (foot), Ugo Ehiogu (Achilles), Matthew Bates (thigh) and Ray Parlour (groin) are still sidelined.
William Gallas is set to make his Arsenal debut at left-back.
Johan Djourou has recovered from a shoulder injury picked up on international duty with Switzerland Under-21s and should start at centre-back.
England youngster Theo Walcott will be rested following his midweek international, but new signing Julio Baptista will be in the squad.
Gael Clichy (foot), Philippe Senderos (shoulder), Abou Diaby (ankle) and Lauren (knee) are all longer-term absentees.
Arsenal squad: Lehmann, Almunia, Hoyte, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Gallas, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky, Hleb, Van Persie, Adebayor, Henry, Baptista, Flamini, Aliadiere, Song.
Middlesbrough squad: Schwarzer, Turnbull, Parnaby, Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Wheater, Taylor, Boateng, Cattermole, Mendieta, Rochemback, Downing, Morrison, Johnson, Euell, Yakubu, Viduka, Maccarone.
