Arsene Wenger has admitted that he was prepared to let Kanu leave Highbury in the summer... but now, with a decent goal on Saturday - and Francis Jeffers crocked, the Nigerian is back in favour.

Confirming that Kanu will partner Sylvain Wiltord in the final Champions League group game, Wenger said: 'I was ready to let him go because I thought that with his class he would not want to settle for just a few games with us this season. But he said he wanted to stay and fight for his place, and I think he is quite close to that now. He's done very well - and, as we know, it is amazing some of the things he can do.'

The Press Association reckons Ray Parlour will captain the side against Schalke - his first outing with the armband, as 'a signal that we want him to stay at Highbury'. He is likely to be joined in midfield by Inamoto and Edu.