In brief:

Arsenal will be missing Grimandi (suspended, last of 3), Vieira, Seaman (both injured), and Bergkamp (phobic). Adams, Henry, and Silvinho are all back in the squad though.

Clearly, the area that needs addressing is the centre of midfield. Parlour and Vivas, perhaps?

Spartak as yet have no suspensions. One striker is definitely out injured, and their sweeper faces a late test. And there's a winger who's playing for Spartak en route from Shakhtar to Fulham!

That's not to say it won't be hard. (And cold possibly reaching ten below zero!). Spartak have just clinched their 8th Russian title in 9 years, and beat Real Madrid 1-0 in Moscow in the last stage. That, however, was the last match and didn't affect the placings, so perhaps is no more significant than our loss that week to Shakhtar.

There have also been reports that the Spartak fans can get a bit aggressive, and warnings that no-one shoudl go unless with the official trip. Keep your cool, travelling Gooners...