Almunia ready for Gunners return

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Poland goalkeeper Fabianski picked up the injury in the midweek Carling Cup win over Liverpool, while rookie stopper Vito Mannone has made recent mistakes. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger kept Mannone in the team despite Almunia, 32, recovering from a chest problem.

Wenger said: "We lost Lukasz Fabianski with a thigh injury. He will be out for three weeks. Of course, it is big disappointment - because he has just come back from injury."

The Frenchman added: "Almunia is back to his normal level. I have no worries about him but I don't want to give an indication as to who will play yet. People don't know who the number-one keeper is, but I do."

Samir Nasri made his return from a fractured leg in the win over Liverpool, although he is cautious about returning to full match-fitness.

"The most important thing is not to make a relapse," said the France midfielder.

"The boss asked me two or three times during the game how I felt and I had to make a sign if I felt the slightest touch. But everything was all right.

"I was very satisfied with my comeback. After five months without playing, I had appetite, I wanted to get around the pitch and touch the ball.

"I thought that it would have been a little bit more difficult. We worked well with the physical assistant. Now, I need to play and play again."