In brief: Silvinho and Dixon are expected to return to the defence. Adams faces a late test but Keown is still out. (Later reports suggest Adams will play, but that the hamstring thing picked up by Ray Parlour last weekend, which kept him out of the England game, is likely to see him sidelined for a fortnight. Edu is said to be fit.)

West Ham will field a 7-1-2 formation, as Frank Lampard appears to be their only fit midfielder (having failed to sign Stephen Hughes in time, see newsreel report).

Up front we'll face at least 1 if not 2 former Gunners in Suker and Diawara, since Kanoute has (almost certainly) failed to shake off an injury, and our old mate Paolo Di Canio is suspended.

But the big pre-match story for all Arsenal fans has to be the emotional return of a real fans' favourite. Welcome back, Nutty boy. Watch out for them long-range left peg rockets Dave....