Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia was undergoing a fitness test on his injured finger on Friday to see whether he can face Sunderland.

If passed fit, Almunia is likely to take over from under-fire Lukasz Fabianski in Saturday's Premier League clash against the Black Cats at the Emirates Stadium.

William Gallas misses the match and will be out for a further fortnight with a calf strain.

Abou Diaby is out with a knee injury and Alex Song looks set to return after also being sidelined with a knee problem. Meanwhile, Robin van Persie's return from ankle damage will not be until the end of April at the earliest according to manager Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Fabianski, Sagna, Song, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Denilson, Rosicky, Walcott, Fabregas, Nasri, Eboue, Bendtner, Vela, Mannone.