Arseene Wenger says, "It is an inflammation of his groin. We have to check by scan today to find out how long he will be out. He could be out for a few weeks, he could be out for a few days. It could be quite serious." So it looks very likely that he'll miss the game against Chelsea on Wednesday as well.

Wenger has also revealed that Sol Campbell is not quite ready. He played a second full competitive game for the reserves on Tuesday night, but he "...practises and is close to full, full competitive fitness, but he is not involved [in the cup semi]".

Mathieu Flamini (thigh) is also missing, but probably not for long. Justin Hoyte played most of the reserve game at Watford after being out for 2 months with a foot injury. And Gael Clichy is probably going to miss the rest of the season after also hurting his foot in the final training session before the game at Boro last weekend.

So, it must surely be Toure and Senderos at the back, along with Cole and Lauren. Pires, Vieira, Freddie and Bobby in midfield, and Reyes plus one of the Dutchmen up front. In goal one has to assume that the "2nd choice" policy stands, and that's still Almunia. But he's out with a groin injury (seems to be the fashion this week) so, although it would be ncie to see Taylor given a chance, Lehmann will probably start.

Blackburn Rovers may bring Robbie Savage back. He has missed the last 6 weeks with a groin injury but played 70 minutes in a reserve game on Tuesday. But Mark Hughes says he's still unsure whether to risk starting Savage against Arsenal. Having retired from international football, this could be his last chance to play at the Millennium Stadium. Gary Flitcroft has had stitches in a leg gash this week, but is expected to be ok, and in all probability Hughes will field the same side that beat Southampton 3-0 at the weekend.