Israel Saria
Eurosport
Arsenal will be without strikers Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor for their Premier League match against Liverpool on Tuesday.
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The pair picked up knocks in Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea and have been ruled out of the game at Anfield which could have a major effect on the title race.
Van Persie has a groin strain while Adebayor, who was substituted during the Chelsea game, is suffering from a hamstring twinge.
Wenger also sounded a pessimistic note over goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
The Spaniard had said he would be “totally ready” for Sunday’s Premier League game against Middlesbrough, but his manager rated him as doubtful for the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Porto the following Wednesday.
“We don’t know when Manuel Almunia will be back,” said Wenger. “And we don’t know if he will be fit for the Champions League semi-final with Manchester United.”
Lukasz Fabianski continues to deputise.
Right-back Bacary Sagna returns following illness, while Croatian striker Eduardo is back after his latest injury setback.
With Arsenal facing a congested fixture schedule of nine matches inside a month, Wenger may be tempted to rest some players for the match.
However, United manager Alex Ferguson said he was confident the Gunners would not ease off at Anfield.
“I don’t know what Arsene will be thinking about tomorrow but no matter what, Arsenal always try,” said Ferguson.
“That is the mantra of Arsene himself. He is a winner. Providing they try, it is all I can ask for.”
A win would send Liverpool two points clear of United who will have two games in hand, the first coming at home to Portsmouth on Wednesday.
Rafa Benitez is without injured captain Steven Gerrard for Tuesday’s Premier League match at home to Arsenal.
The England midfielder is expected to be ruled out for a further seven to 10 days with the groin problem that has forced him to miss Liverpool’s last two matches.
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