Russian champions Spartak Moscow comes to London with a weaker defence than usual. Sweeper Dimitri Ananko is suspended, and it should be a poor comfort that international full back Yuri Kovtun returns. Also back are striker Alexander Shirko and goalkeeper Maxim Levitsky, though they are both expected to start on the bench.

"The English game suits us much better than the one which French or German clubs play," warns Spartak's experienced coach Oleg Romantsev. More at Dailysoccer.

When it comes to Arsenal, the concerns about the left back position are reported elsewhere in the Arseweb Newsreel. Nelson Vivas is still the best bet to start. Ray Parlour and Martin Keown are still out with injuries, but manager Arsène Wenger may elect to start either with three strikers or with Dennis Bergkamp back in the right midfield position. That could mean starting berths for both top scorer Thierry Henry and Saturday's hat-trick hero Sylvain Wiltord.

Bergkamp played in Parlour's position a few games earlier in the season, and if nothing else the opposition was confused.