In the last game of the competition, Justin Hoyte, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Philippe Senderos, and Gilberto all started. Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Gael Clichy all came off the bench to play very significant parts in the extra-time win over Tottenham. All these players are definite first teamers (only in the case of Hoyte and Senderos are there players who, when fit, are marginally ahead of them in the pecking order). Theo Walcott started too and while there may be a few players ahead of him, he's been playing a lot for the first team anyway.

So the question isn't whether or not Wenger will play "first string" players, it's how many?. All we know for sure is that Le Boss has stated that he will leave out Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Freddie Ljungberg and, of course, Jens Lehmann. Gallas has said that he wants to play, because he needs games to get back to full fitness, but it seems unlikely that he'll persuade Le Boss, and he does accept that it's good experience for the reserves (but who would he keep out? Djourou? Senderos?).

As usual, we shouldn't expect many second-stringers in defence. if Justin Hoyte fails to shake off a hamstring problem then Johan Djourou should play there, leaving Toure and Senderos to play centre back. If either of them is unavailable then we expect Gilberto to fill in (he could do this anyway) rather than, say, Matthew Connolly who is in the squad but surely only for emergencies. But you never know, Wenger could surprise us with someone like Matthieu Flamini or Abou Diaby at right back.

Emmanuel Eboue, incidentally, is still not back from his ankle injury, but due to start training any time now, if not already.

Left-back is an interesting one (see yesterday's team news). Armand Traore is most likely to start, but Wenger will be hoping that Gael Clichy passes fit from his foot problem because he's made a big difference when he's had to come off the bench for Traore in previous games.

We interpret Wenger's expression of faith in his League Cup team from previous rounds as meaning basically that Abou Diaby, Denilson, Julio Baptista, Jeremie Aliadiere and (of course) Manuel Almunia will all start. Baptista and Alialiadiere presumably as a strike pair, with Emmanuel Adebayor on the bench as an option. If Diaby and Denilson are in midfield they'll probably be joined by Theo Walcott and one other more experienced player: Cesc Fabregas, Gilberto, or Tomas Rosicky.

But don't be too surprised if Wenger actually goes for a slightly stronger team than this.

Chelsea are definitely missing John Terry (see yesterday's news, again) but it looks like his injury isn't so bad as ahem hoped, and he could be back in action as early as next weekend. Not yet though. As Mourinho says, "Essien and Carvalho at the back. We don't have a choice". No, but you (or someone at Chelsea did have a choice when you sold us William Gallas, who's too good to even get into Arsenal's League Cup side.

Latest on Ashley Cole and Arjen Robben is that they're still hopeful that the pair could make the game. Cole actually played 60 minutes of a reserve fixture on Wednesday.

Frank Lampard was doubtful for Wednesday but should be fine for Sunday. But another England team-mate Joe Cole is out long-term.

Finally there are contrasting comments from our 2 keepers. They both want to play, but they go about saying it in typically different ways.

Domestic cup keeper Manuel Almunia is positive and happy...

"I get on fine with Jens. We respect each other and there is no problem between us. But the only person who helps me to improve is the goalkeeping coach Gerry Peyton."

When it's suggested that Lehmann might leave and that people are saying Wenger might just promote Almunia rather than look elsewhere, he just says,

"I am glad to hear that the boss is very happy with my performances."

"The most important thing for me right now is the Carling Cup final and I am very excited about that. This game is my finest moment in England and am very proud for all the young players and for myself as well. This match will show how strong Arsenal's future can be. " "The so-called 'second' team is playing fantastic and many people are now asking why this team doesn't play in the Premiership and the Champions League as well."

Some of were certainly asking that after Tuesday at PSV.

Lehmann, on the other hand, focusses on how shit things are in England.

"The number of games we have, it is difficult to perform always at your top level. I do not play twice a week, and for me the break probably is too long sometimes."

"You have this rubbish system in England with all the cup games, and we have to cope with that."

He's a nutter. But he's a great keeper, so we have to cope with that.