Seaman missed Saturday's game at Maine Road after a hip problem felt before last week's Ajax game led to him not returning for the second half of that match. Stuart Taylor has done well in the game-and-a-half since then, particularly in the second half against Man City, so we're not as concerned as we might once have been. Still, Seaman's experience gives him an edge if fit.

Similarly, Gio van Bronckhorst will presumably, if needed, be well up for playing in Holland in a position he takes for their national side. Cole's groin problem made him miss Saturday's game, and it appears to have been because it was troubling him rather than just to give him a rest.

As reported on Sunday, Kanu's injury has tipped the balamce in favour of Dennis making the trip. He's probably already there as Wenger said he wanted him to get there early.

For Ajax, Rafael van der Vaart and John O'Brien were both expected to return to action last night in a youth team game. But neither is expected to be playing on Wednesday. USA defender O'Brien has been out since September with an Achilles problem. See previous story for more on van der Vaart.

If this week's quotes are to be believed, Ajax's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a bit of a big-head. He's been denying Wenger's (alleged) claim that he had a trial at Arsenal just before he joined Ajax from Malmo. Zlatan says that he came to visit on Arsenal's invitation, but when asked to trial he refused, saying why should a superstar like him have to prove anything (or words to that effect). He may be a great striker but surely a coach can only find out if he (and his squad) can work with someone by giving it a go...? Wenger is known for improving the game of already-great players. So, stupid move by Zlatan, and perhaps a lucky escape for us.

Egyptian striker Mido has been removed from the first team squad by coach Ronald Koeman for "disciplinary reasons". No more details have been released by the club. Mido did not play last week.

Looks like there could be few if any changes to the starting line-ups from last week. It'd be nice to think that Keown's outing on Saturday proved that he's ready though.

Rupe adds...
Arsenal.com have published the squad list for the game. As expected, Seaman and Cole are in it (as it Bergkamp). Ljungberg, Oleg, Kanu, and Shaaban are the only (and expected) absences.

Koeman has reinstated Mido to the first team squad (see above), but says he won't play against Arsenal. Koeman said that failure to appear at a sponsor's event and a "poor work ethic" in training were just "drops in the bucket", and added that this was Mido's last chance at Ajax. It's reported that Koeman and a bunch of players including Chivu met with Mido to tell him to get his act together.

Koeman also confirmed that O'Brien won't start the game on Wednesday, although he could be on the bench.

... and later on Soccernet say Mido is in the squad for the Arsenal match, and give more details of his grovelling. He should only be on the bench though. Despite a few players missing training on Monday, Koeman is expect to have faith with the same starting XI as last week....

... although Soccernet say Tomas Galasek (one of those that missed training) is actually a doubt with a knee injury picked up at Highbury. The others are Hatem Trabelsi and Petri Pasanen, and other sources are still saying that all 3 are ok for Wednesday.