Arsenal new-boy Mikael Silvestre is unlikely to make his debut against Blackburn this Saturday after the Frenchman sustained a “minor setback” on his current thigh problem.

Silvestre, 31, has yet to make his debut for the Gunners’ since joining from Manchester United last month but Arsene Wenger believes he will be fit for next Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Dynamo Kyiv.

“We had a minor setback with him,” said the manager. “But if he is not available for Saturday he will be OK for Wednesday certainly.

Fellow countryman Abou Diaby is still a fair few weeks away from full fitness while Carlos Vela has been completely ruled out after starring for Mexico in midweek.

“At the moment I do not know about everybody because some players finished their game at 4am, for example Carlos Vela in Mexico,” he said.

Samir Nasri is another doubt after the 21-year-old felt a nagging pain after Tuesday’s training session, and coach Raymond Domenech decided to rest him “only as a precautionary measure,” according to team press officer Francois Manardo.

Wenger is still undecided on the midfield maestro though:

“The only injury news that we have is Nasri, who could not play last night for France. We have to assess him later.”

Gooner Talk will have all the build-up to Saturday’s match with a preview coming tomorrow afternoon as well as a match report immediately after the full time whistle blows.