Edu has not played since being substituted through injury during the win over Everton in the last round. Cygan is also injured. He picked up a back problem in Holland before the match in Eindhoven and is unlikely to be available for the Birmingham game either.

The good news is that Gael Clichy is due to make his return from injury, and Ryan Smith is also included despite injuring knee ligaments in the last round (a problem that was expected to keep him out for somewhat longer). Frankie Simek returns after coming back from a loan spell at QPR.

Van Persie and Jermaine Pennant are likely to be the best known names in the Arsenal line-up. Knowing eyes will be on Mathieu Flamini whose central midfield credentials are likely to be further tested when Vieira misses the Chelsea game in 10 days time.

The Arsenal squad is: Manuel Almunia
Chris Wright
Robin van Persie
Mathieu Flamini
Philippe Senderos
Jermaine Pennant
Gael Clichy
Justin Hoyte
Patrick Cregg
Johan Djourou
Sebastian Larsson
Arturo Lupoli
Quincy
Frankie Simek
Danny Karbassiyoon
Ryan Smith

Man Utd are also expected to field a young line-up, the same squad that faced Palace in the last round but without the injured Louis Saha. But that would include a few more experienced players than Arsenal's line-up - the likes of Phil Neville, Djemba-Djemba, and Kleberson all featured against Palace.