Theo Walcott, at least, did play the full 90 minutes of yesterday's 3-1 friendly win over Reading, having recovered from a shoulder injury. But his first-team appearances have so far been limited to sitting on the bench, once, and the Bernabeu would be a hell of a full debut. So it's probably more likely that he'll be a sub on Tuesday, especially if Jose Antonio Reyes is available.

Of the injured players, Jose is the only one thought to have even a slight chance of playing on Tuesday, according to Wenger quotes on the official site. Despite the predictions, Robin van Persie and Gael Clichy did not feature at all. They're definitely not going to play on Tuesday and there are even rumours that Clichy has suffered a worrying injury setback. But after yesterday, let's not put too much faith in rumours.

The official site still lists Dennis Bergkamp as injured. He however has been quoted as saying he's available to play on Tuesday and quite happy to drive to Madrid. We've heard this so many times before and there's no reason to suppose that Wenger will allow him to do that, given how many times he's said in the past that it's not an option. Incidentally (and I've said this before but I'll say it again), having been to Spain a few times by a variety of routes, I'm amazed that once again it's driving there that's being mooted, or even getting the stomach-churning ferry through the Bay of Biscay. I can see why Wenger thinks these methods wouldn't help his fitness. But why not stick him on an overnight train? It's quicker, and a hell of a lot more comfortable in my experience.

With Emmanuel Adebayor cup-tied, the probable absence of Reyes will leave us with the likes of Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires as partner options for Thierry Henry, maybe with Arturo Lupoli on the bench with Walcott.

Lupoli continued his good scoring run in the second string yesterday with a brace (and almost a late third when he hit the woodwork) after coming on at half-time, but unlike Walcott he's not really proven anything yet in first team football at any level. Mart Poom also came on for the second half for a rare chance to show something in an Arsenal shirt, and made a superb save.