Up front, Dennis Bergkamp is struggling with a back problem. Le Boss is saying he'll travel to Amsterdam if fit, but it seems very unlikely that he'll feature against the Irons unless in the late sub role. Perhaps Quincy will be on the bench to be used as a late attacking option, like against Thun. Thierry Henry has returned to the club from a break, but Wenger says his injury still means he's at least 4 weeks from playing.

Robert Pires is definitely out because of the kick on the thigh suffered against Phil Neville, which I reckon means Hleb is bound to play. Freddie is also a major doubt, also with a thigh problem. If he does miss the game then there are 2 options: Flamini (who's available again following a knee problem) in the middle and Cesc on the right, or Hleb on the right with Clichy coming in to midfield in front of Ashley Cole.

Alan Pardew has been saying that his team won't change their attacking ways against Arsenal. They've had a good start to the season but haven't been tested against one of the big teams yet.

Teddy Sheringham looks set to return to the starting line-up after being rested in the League Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere, on loan at West Ham, misses out with a groin problem which apparently may mean surgery. Looks like the poor kid may be set for another lengthy absence. Without a successful loan spell, it's hard to see him breaking back into the Arsenal team.

Watch out for new kid Yossi Banayoun, the "new Eyal Berkovic" who West Ham fans are getting very excited about. Marlon Harewood has been scoring lots of goals, so we can expect Sol and Kolo to be tested. But the extent of his threat will be down to how many decent chances the likes of Banayoun can create for him against the Arsenal midfield.

Former Tottenham flop and West Ham play-off hero Bobby Zamora is likely to be demoted to the bench with the return of Sheringham, but he's proven himself a dangerous sub since moving to the Boleyn Ground.

Apparently, the ref is Mike Dean. He was in charge of our 3-1 win over West Ham in their relegation season, when Lomas was a bit unlucky to be sent off after Pires lost his footing and then ugly thug Lee Bowyer ran into Dennis Bergkamp's arm to try to redress the balance. I'm told that West Ham fans saw these incidents slightly differently, and hence have little faith in Mr Dean. They may be reassured by the fact that Arsenal needed Thierry Henry to score all 3 goals that day.

Rupe adds...
Friday's news from the official site is that Freddie's ok for tomorrow. But Dennis is definitely out with "related back and groin injuries". He will face a fitness test on Sunday before Wenger decides whether to send him overland to Amsterdam, but it is said to be unlikely. Senderos is also absent from the West Ham game with a back problem. The good news, for Tuesday, is that Pires is expected to be ok by then.