Arsene Wenger has backed new signing Andrey Arshavin to provide the creative spark to kick-start Arsenal's faltering Premier League campaign.

The 27-year-old is set for his debut against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium tomorrow, three weeks after completing his £15million move from Zenit St Petersburg.

With the Gunners lying five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, three points is a must in their pursuit of Champions League football.

Wenger is yet to decide if the Russian will start but said: “Arshavin can integrate well into our combination game, he can move well and is a clever passer of the ball.

“That is something you need in every big team to open opponents up. He is in the squad for tomorrow and we will see if he will start.

“I think he will contribute to unlocking defences. He is maybe a week short to be completely fit to play at his best. He had three weeks' preparation, two weeks with us and one week with Zenit, so that's not too bad.”

Arshavin has impressed in training and Wenger believes the Russian playmaker — who was an unused substitute for the 0-0 draw at Tottenham two weeks ago — has adapted well to life in England. “He has bedded in quickly because he has personality and is a strong character,” said the Gunners manager.

“The handicap he has at the moment is that he is not completely fit physically but all the rest should be quite quick.

“Anyway, we will take the needed time. We will not put him under pressure and if he needs a bit longer, he takes a bit longer.

“At the moment we have many players in that area injured like Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott. So there is a position to take as a creative midfielder.

“You have to give everybody who comes in time to adapt and adjust. I know him quite well on his vision, his passing ability and his quick brain. That is something which is very important in the modern game.”

The good news for Wenger is that Fabregas is hoping to return for the second leg of the Champions League clash against Roma next month after insisting he is ready to lead the club's trophy push. The Spaniard suffered knee ligament damage last December and in his absence the Gunners have fallen down the League.

Although rehabilitation had been dominating the 21-year-old's thoughts, Fabregas revealed he is now focused on steering his team-mates through their recent difficulties.

He said: “From this week I will be back at the club, in the dressing room with my team-mates and I will see them going out to training, travelling to the games and that will make me jealous.

“It will give me more desire to get fit as quickly as possible so I can be in the team again.

“Over the last few weeks, I have only thought of my injury but now it's time for me to come back to the team. I am the captain and I have responsibilities — I have to be next to my team-mates even if I'm not playing.”

The midfielder believes he could return within a couple of weeks but a club source claimed a more realistic assessment puts his comeback in the second week of March. This would have him ready for the visit of Burnley in the fifth round of the FA Cup or the trip to Rome four days later.

Fabregas added: “I've got a good feeling about it. Of course I won't come back until I'm 100 per cent ready but the sensations are very good.”