Mathieu Flamini was forced off after just 8 minutes of the semi-final on Tuesday, with a hamstring problem. He pulled up after a turn and immediately indicated to the bench that he had to go off, not a good sign. But scans have shown that it was only a slight pull rather than tear, so there's a good chance he'll be fit for the final on May 17th.

Whether or not he'll be needed depends on the fitness of Gael Clichy and Ashley Cole. Clichy came off the bench to replace Flamini in Villarreal and did ok, although Javi Venta was one of the yellow submarines' biggest threats down Gael's wing. On balance, at the moment, it's probably fair to say that Clichy might be a bigger attacking threat than Matty, but Matty might be more solid defensively. Anyway, we've now got 3 league games to test the fitness of options at left back, and just have to hope that we don't lose anyone from that cursed position again.

Ashley Cole is only just behind Clichy in the fitness stakes, and will be desperate to play as soon as possible. Not only are his chances of making the final in the balance, but so is his place in the world cup squad. He'll need to come through at least one whole game unscathed before the 17th.

Philippe Senderos is still hopeful, following the knee injury which forced him off early in the second half of the draw against Tottenham. He says "I hope it is not too serious and I will be fit before the end of the season." Sol Campbell did fine defensively against Villarreal but I didn't think he looked as comfortable on the ball as Big Phil.

The other big worry is over Alexander Hleb, who's been an important figure in the Champs League run. He limped off at the end of the game on Tuesday with an ankle problem, had a scan yesterday, and is a major doubt for the trip to Sunderland on Monday.

While we're still in with a chance of pipping Tottenham for 4th place, realistically it comes down to their home game against Bolton at the weekend, because we can't expect too much from West Ham on the last day, a week before their own big final against Liverpool in Cardiff. Perhaps the result of that Bolton game will influence Le Boss's team choices against Sunderland. But I'm expecting more rotation over the 3 matches next week. It'll be a question of keeping some players fit, and checking on the fitness of others, and having done it against Spurs, why would Wenger not do it against Sunderland, Man City, and Wigan?