All the gossip is that Abou Diaby is set to start his first game tonight, since the horrific break/dislocation that kept him out for the best part of a year. Arsene Wenger has hinted at it in pre-match interviews, saying "I had a big doubt in my mind that he would come back. I am very happy because he not only came back, but he looks even stronger than before. It is only his first game back and we must be patient, but he can be a great player and I am sure he will be."

Diaby came on for the last 15 minutes of the last round's destruction of Liverpool, coming on for Theo Walcott into a midfield already containing Cesc Fabregas and Alexandre Song. The big question is, if he does start tonight, who will it be with?

A lot of observers seemed to think that Song had a decent game at Anfield but personally I thought he was clearly the weak link, seeming to give a free-kick away every time he got near an opponent. Playing Song and Diaby as the midfield core would be putting a hell of a responsibility on Diaby for his comeback game. But if Wenger says he's ready, who are we to argue?

Anyway, we're not sure if Song is still away playing for Cameroon. If he is, then Diaby will surely partner one of Cesc and Mathieu Flamini, the other being rested for Sunday's visit of Bolton Wanderers in the other cup. It's worth noting that Gilberto's suspension will be over in time for next week's second leg of this tie.

In defence we can certainly expect the promising Armand Traore to start at left back. He's been pointing out the value of having the experience of the likes of Kolo Toure and Johan Djourou alongside him in these games (amazing to think that a youngster like Djourou is being considered an old hand already!). But Djourou was injured out of the glorious win over Manchester United on Sunday and there's no suggestion that William Gallas is back yet, so there's a good chance it'll be Philippe Senderos who partners Toure again. It all depends on how Wenger views the two-legged nature of this one - it's quite possible that he'll risk a younger side in the knowledge that we have an opportunity to reverse any set-back next week, and that could mean a big night for Matthew Connolly in a back 5 completed by Justin Hoyte and Manuel Almunia.

As for the other attacking positions, it'd be a surprise if any of Walcott, Denilson, and Jeremie Aliadiere didn't play. And having been rested for most of Sunday's game, the last round's 4 goal hero Julio Baptista will probably be in there too.

But most Gunner's eyes will probably be on Diaby and Aliadiere, the latter by virtue of his being the most straightforward like-for-like replacement for the injured Robin van Persie while he's out for the next 6 to 60 weeks.

As for Tottenham, they will be without Finnish midfielder Teemu Tainio who injured an ankle in the draw at Fulham at the weekend, and Ledley King who has suffered a setback on his return from a bruised foot. But recent injury victims Jermaine Jenas (ankle), Mido (groin), Paul Stalteri (hip) and Edgar Davids (illness/groin) are all in contention having returned to training. That's all we know at the moment although there are rumours buzzing around about Mido and Gardner being on their way out before the transfer window closes, which might make their inclusion less likely. They're hardly first choices at the moment anyway though, and as Martin Jol points out he's not in a position to leave any of his normal starters out except possibly up front and at left back where he claims to have "two good players". Two good players? Best to use them both, surely? Can't afford to waste resources like that.

Rupe adds...
The official squad list has been announced and features 4 changes from the 16 that went to Liverpool for the last round. Philippe Senderos, Alexander Hleb, Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Eboue have been brought in for Johan Djourou, Alex Song, Matthew Connolly and Henri_Lansbury. Djourou is injured and Song is away with Cameroon (or only just back?) but as far as we're aware Connolly and Lansbury are available.

These 2 changes, therefore, would appear to signal a slight shift in attitude towards the competition. We wouldn't expect the starting line-up to differ from that which is described above, but it looks like we'll have a stronger bench.

The announcement also confirms that Diaby is set to start (although there's still nothing explicit to that effect from Le Boss).

The squad, with our guess as to starting formation, is:

Almunia,
Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Traore,
Walcott, Diaby, Cesc, Denilson,
Baptista, Aliadiere

subs Hleb, Randall, Poom, Eboue, Flamini.