With Thierry Henry out until the New Year, Theo Walcott and Julio Baptista will each be hoping for another start, but after resting a few players against Wigan on Wednesday there's a good chance the likes of Alexander Hleb, Cesc Fabregas, and Robin van Persie will be back.

Portsmouth have problems up front, with Andrew Cole (achilles) and Lomano Lua-Lua (thigh) both missing, and Kanu facing a late fitness test on a knee injury. If Kanu is out then wonder-goal scorer Matthew Taylor might have to play up front. Benjani Mwaruwari is also out with a hamstring problem, but midfielder Pedro Mendes returns from suspension.