Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Robin van Persie will be in the squad to face Blackburn at the weekend.

The Gunners will be looking to get their Premier League title challenge back on track when Rovers visit the Emirates, and they have been boosted by the news that their Dutch striker is fit to feature.

Van Persie returned from the international break with a minor knee problem he suffered during Tuesday's 5-3 win over Hungary, but initial fears have improved.

Wenger said: "He's all right. He will be in the squad.

"He had a kick on his knee and he had a test this morning - if there is no reaction overnight he should be okay.

"I'm an optimist so there is always the hope that it will not be too severe. That was the case, for once we had good news.

"It's the final part of the season, losing a player now is basically like losing them for the rest of the season.

"We are in the final sprint for the championship so you want all your players available.

"What will decide it will be our performances until the end of the season and therefore you want your key players."
Returns

Meanwhile, the French coach also confirmed that Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song and Theo Walcott will all be in contention for a place in the side.

One player who will definitely be in the starting line-up is goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, despite a horrendous blunder during the last game at West Brom, which they drew 2-2.

With Jens Lehmann waiting in the wings having signed a short-term deal until the end of the season, speculation had grown that the German could have come into the side for Almunia.

However, with injuries to other keepers higher in the pecking order, Wenger will stick with the 33-year-old Spaniard for the home clash.

Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin believes the Gunners' lighter fixture list will help them in their bid to win the Premier League title.

The north London outfit are currently five points off league leaders Manchester United but have a game in hand on the Red Devils and only the Premier League title to play for after crashing out of the cup competitions.
In contrast, United are still going for the Champions League and the FA Cup as they look to repeat their treble winning success of 1999.
While Arshavin says he is envious of United competing on so many fronts he believes their hectic fixture list will give Arsenal the opportunity to overtake and win the Premier League.
"I think our schedule is not so bad, that is why if we win all our games we have a good chance to be champions," the Russian told Sky Sports.
"I think everyone in our team would prefer to have more possibilities than only one trophy, but everything is in the past, that is why we have to concentrate on the Premier League matches.
"Straight after it was very difficult for everyone, but now we have come back after the internationals and have refreshed our minds and maybe it will help us.
"I think we are in the race."
Arsenal could find themselves eight points behind United by the time they face Blackburn on Saturday, if Sir Alex Ferguson's men can take three points from their trip to West Ham.
Punters might fancy using their free bet to back the Gunners to beat relegation-threatened Rovers at the weekend, despite their failure to win their last two league matches.

Несколько часов назад пресс-атташе лондонского клуба подтвердил информацию о согласовании перехода сразу трёх звёзд европейского футбола в "Арсенал" в летнее трансферное окно.

Сегодня окончательно подтвердились слухи о переходе Карима Бензема ("Реал"), Эдена Азара ("Лилль") и Гарри Кэйхилла ("Болтон"). Все три игрока по окончанию нынешнего сезона подпишут долгосрочные контракты и окончательно оформят свой переход в лондонский "Арсенал".

С приходом бывшего "пушкаря" Эммануэля Адебайора в стан "сливочных" и его неоднократными заявлениями о желании выступать за столичный клуб, Карим подал прошение о своём трансфере. Переговоры по трансферу Бензема вёл лично главный тренер "канониров" Арсен Венгер. Сумма сделки по сообщениям клуба составит 18 млн. фунтов стерлингов, а зарплата француза 80 тыс. фунтов в неделю.

Эдена Азара и Гарри Кэйхилла ещё с конца прошлого сезона сватали в "Арсенал", но камнем преткновения в обоих случая становился денежный вопрос. На этот раз руководство клуба не просто выделило необходимую сумму, а буквально вынудило Венгера приобрести двух молодых футболистов. Трансфер бельгийца в штабе оценили в 23 млн. фунтов, а англичанина в 14 млн. фунтов.

Все в футбольном клубе "Арсенал" желают новоиспечённым "канонирам" удачи как в их нынешних клубах, так и в их новом доме.

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