After Giovanni van Bronckhorst was carried off the Highbury pitch in the 4-1 win over Fulham, the last recognised left back of the Champions League squad was out of reckoning for Wednesday's home game against Bayer Leverkusen.

Ashley Cole and Matthew Upson are long-term absentees because of injuries, while FA Cup stand-in Juan is ineligible for European games.

In the win over Fulham, Lauren stepped into the left back slot, and Oleg Luzhny have deputised there earlier. The Ukrainian, however, serves the fourth and final match of his European ban on Wednesday.

Another option for manager Arsène Wenger may be to hand Greek U21 international Stathis Tavlaridis his Arsenal debut in a position many consider cursed after the end of Nigel Winterburn's reign. The English veteran's successor Silvinho was sold to Spanish football after doubts were raised about his EU passport.