Nasri set to face Baggies

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The £12million summer signing from Marseille missed the midweek Champions League qualifier against FC Twente (knee), but is expected to be in contention to face the Baggies which is will be a welcome boost for manager Arsene Wenger with midfield first-choice pair Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) or Abou Diaby (thigh) unavailable.

Youngsters Aaron Ramsey, 17, and Denilson, 20, look set for another chance to impress in the centre having started the European tie, and Wenger said: "They both gave a lot against Twente. The game on Saturday morning comes very quickly, but in fairness I am not in a position where I can make many changes at the moment."

The Arsenal manager is hopeful Euro 2008 winner Fabregas will be back by the end of the month, but the short-term prognosis on Diaby is not so positive.

He told Arsenal TV On-Line: "A reasonable target for Fabregas is the second leg of the Champions League game, but Diaby will take four to six weeks."

Wenger will continue his search to bring at least one more fresh face, probably a defensive midfielder, to the squad before the transfer window closes on August 31.

Fringe full-back Justin Hoyte is set for talks with Middlesbrough after the Gunners agreed a fee.

Wenger is now close to finalising his squad for the campaign ahead - one which is expected to be boosted by the return of Czech winger Tomas Rosicky and possibly even striker Eduardo before Christmas, as the Croatian steps up his rehabilitation from a broken leg.

Nevertheless, captain William Gallas - who scored the opening goal in the 2-0 win over the Dutch side coached by former England boss Steve McClaren - has every confidence the young Gunners can again prove they are up to the task on Saturday against last season's Coca-Cola Championship winners.

"They have got the control and they have got the quality and if they play for Arsenal then that means they are very good," said the veteran France defender, who turns 31 on Sunday. "I am happy for them because when I was the same age as them I don't think I was at a big club like Arsenal and it is a joy to work with them everyday."