Arsenal’s French defensive duo Gael Clichy and summer signing Mikael Silvestre are fit for Saturday’s Premier League match with Hull City.

Clichy, 22, was on the receiving end of a strong challenge from Bolton’s Kevin Davies and was immediately driven to hospital with what looked like at the time, a broken leg. Luckily for the former Cannes youngster, he only sustained bruising to the shin.

As for Silvestre, the ex-United defender looks set to play a part in the game after recovering from a mixture of thigh and ankle injuries since joining early last month.

“I am really pleased that Gael is available,” said the manager. “He had a training session today for the first time and he should develop well in the next 48 hours.” said Wenger.

“However Mikael Silvestre is available and we did not have any injuries from last week [against Bolton]. The likes of Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott have recovered fully so everyone is available.”

Cameroonian International Alex Song took a knock on his hip during the latter stages of Tuesday’s Carling Cup mauling against Sheffield United and remains a massive doubt.

“Alex has a fitness test tomorrow,” said the manager. “He had a kick on his hip [in midweek] and it is very tender.

Saturday’s opponents Hull City have injury problems of their own. Neither Greek legend Stelios Giannakopoulos nor Anthony Gardner will take part in the gamel.

Gooner Talk will provide all the build-up towards Saturday’s 4pm kick-off and a match report will be posted up immediately after the full time whistle – stay locked, on the #1 site for all of Arsenal’s first team news and views.

Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger named his youngest ever team for Tuesday evening’s third round Carling Cup clash with Championship side Sheffield United.

Wales Under-21 midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 16-year-old Jack Wilshere, reserve team captain Gavin Hoyte, Kieran Gibbs and Mark Randall all started, while first-year scholar Emmanuel Frimpong, also 16, and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 17, were on the bench at Emirates Stadium.
 

Arsenal Starting XI

Fabianski
G.Hoyte – Djourou – Song – Gibbs
Wilshere – Ramsey – Randall – Merida
Bendtner – Vela
 
Sheff Utd:

Kenny
Halford – Morgan – Kilgallon – Naysmith
Cotterill – Speed – Quinn – Montgomery
Beattie – Webber

First Half

Arsenal started in similar fashion to the game at Bolton last Saturday. Crisp passing inside their own half which drew Sheffield United’s players towards them.

The youngsters faced a tough test against experienced midfield general Gary Speed but it certainly didn’t phase them. Kieran Gibbs sprinted down the left before dragging his shot inched wide.

Sheffield United won an early corner with Fabianski clinging onto a poor delivery from Stephen Quinn. North London was shining in the light of Arsenal’s youthful display and Aaron Ramsey proved his worth with a nice passing move which was cut out by the Blades.

Danny Webber smacked a shot into Row Z and the Gunners’ fans looked as if they were enjoying themselves at the Emirates.

Blades’ shot stopper Paddy Kenny collected a shot from Vela but it was Ramsey who was the most impressive of the bunch. Alex Song hooked the ball forward but Sheffield stayed resilient and mopped things up at the back.

Arsene Wenger’s young Gunners were keen and aggressive in the opening stages and that showed when Gavin Hoyte’s work-rate got the better of him after a rash challenge on Montgomery.

Mexican forward Carlos Vela showed off his attacking prowess with some fantastic trickery to get a cross inches past strike partner Bendtner.

A free-kick on the far edge of the box was awarded thanks to some witty play from Jack Wilshere. The resulting set-piece was lifted over everyone despite the presence of Arsenal’s towering strength inside the box.

Impressive pre-season midfielder Mark Randall was spreading the play well and Johan Djourou took advantage of it with a silky strike which Kenny denied well.

Gibbs, Randall, Ramsey, Djourou & Bendtner were all brilliant and the latter’s superb work-rate paid off when Carlos Vela turned sharply away from his marker and feed Bendtner who in turn finished it beautifully past the stranded Paddy Kenny.

Goal: Nicklas Bendtner (31)

Kevin Blackwell’s side were stunned. A team with an average age of 18 years were cruising in footballing terms against one of Championship’s giants.

United had a chance to equalise. A Blades free-kick was jabbed away from Alex Song and Johan Djourou hooked it over to the half way line and struck to safety.

All the pressure was Arsenal, but Djourou stayed strong in defence and kept calm as the Gunners’ hung onto their one-goal lead.

Jack Wilshere combined with Nicklas Bendtner and the 16-year-old claims for a penalty were denied by Referee Phil Dowd.

Just minutes before half time, summer signing Aaron Ramsey backheeled a magnificent ball into the path of Bendtner who finished it calmly for his second of the game.

Goal: Nicklas Bendtner (41)

Unbelievably, Arsenal made it three within minutes, Bendtner played Vela down the inside right channel and the Mexican clipped it calmly inside the far post. Arsenal Youth were cruising against Championship opposition – stunning. 

Goal: Carlos Vela (44)

It was a magical first half from Wenger’s kids, and there was surely more to come in a most likely mouthwatering second period.

Second Half

Wenger’s Young Guns slipped out the tunnel in a confident mood – who wouldn’t be after scoring three in a first half.

Kieran Gibbs immediately searched for the fourth and was unlucky to not strike it past Kenny who saved well from the England man.

It was starting to become more and more embarassing for Blackwell’s troops. Vela was a little fortuitous as he shouldered the ball over his marker but then produced an audacious lob over Paddy Kenny. Another excellent goal from the Mexican striker.

Goal: Carlos Vela (50)

This side were in stunning form and Wilshere started to knock it about with Welsh International Ramsey, Sheffield couldn’t get the ball off the teenage sensations.

Then, Wilshere’s moment came. He received a corner on the edge of the penalty area and then shot low with his left foot into the corner and Paddy Kenny failed to scramble across his line to keep the shot out. Jack Wilshere. Five star Arsenal. Fantastic.

Goal: Jack Wilshere (56)

Minutes after Wilshere’s goal, Danish striker Bendtner went on the attack for his hatrick and came inches away from granting it after rolling Merida’s pass wide.

Carlos Vela struck a sweet shot over the bar as Arsenal started to move closer to the sixth goal of the night.

70 mins: Fran Merida replaced by Francis Coquelin (tactical).

70 mins: Nicklas Bendtner replaced by Jay Simpson (tactical).

70 mins: Alexandre Song Billong replaced by Henri Lansbury (injury).

Substitutes Simpson and Lansbury tested Kenny with some late efforts while Francis Coquelin marshalled his area in front of the back four brilliantly for the remaining 15 minutes.

A brilliant 56,000 crowd were present in the Emirates to watch on and see the Gunners’ hit a poor Blades’ side for six and the youngsters passed it around deliciously as the clock ticked down.

There was enough time for a sixth though, Carlos Vela was put through by the sensational Aaron Ramsey and the Mexican grabbed his hat-rick with open arms and sealed a memorable win for Arsenal’s young Gunners.

Goal: Carlos Vela – Hatrick (87)

What a result for Arsene Wenger’s young Magicians. There was surely more to come from this blossoming youthful team who were deservedly applauded off the field by the loyal Arsenal faithful.

As if the first team wasn’t youthful enough, Gunners manager Arsène Wenger has consistently used the Carling Cup to blood promising youngsters. Expect, then, to get a first home glimpse of Welsh wonderkid Aaron Ramsey and maybe even teenage English winger Jack Wilshere who impressed in pre-season. The thinness of the squad, however, may also mean a start for surprise centre-back signing Mikael Silvestre.

Sheffield United will be a stern test and boast plenty of Premier League experience with one-time England defender Ugo Ehiogu, former England striker James Beattie, as well as midfielder Gary Speed who seems to have been around since decimalisation. Kevin Blackwell’s side will fancy their chances against a club with one eye on forthcoming Champions League encounters.

Arsenal met Sheffield United in last year’s Carling Cup fourth round. Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva scored a brace and Denilson added a third as a young Arsenal side strolled into the last eight. The Gunners were eventually eliminated by Tottenham Hotspur in the last four.

Fabianski
G.Hoyte – Djourou – Song – Gibbs
Wilshere – Ramsey – Randall – Merida
Bendtner – Vela

Match Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Sheffield United

Arsenal v Sheffield United is unfortunately not being broadcast on live TV but it should be avaliable online with p2p streams likely to be posted.

Catch all the post-match reaction and player ratings here on Gooner Talk seconds after the final whistle.

Leave your views and predictions of tomorrows game in the comments section below.

Arsenal took on a tough Bolton side at the Reebok this afternoon looking to extend their points in the Premier League table.

Arsene Wenger left Robin van Persie and England ace Theo Walcott on the bench for the trip to the Reebok Stadium.

Nicklas Bendtner was handed a start to partner Emmanuel Adebayor up front and Emmanuel Eboue was restored to the line-up as Wenger made two changes to the side that drew with Dynamo Kiev.

Bolton Starting XI:

Jaaskelainen
Steinsson – Shittu – A O’Brien – Samuel
J O’Brien – Smolarek – Muamba – Nolan – Gardner
Davies

Arsenal Starting XI:

Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Eboue – Fabregas – Song – Denilson
Adebayor – Bendtner

First Half

It was the homeside who kicked off at the Reebok which was surprisngly, basking in glorious sunshine.

A free-kick was won early on, as Megson’s team looked to use their threat upfront in Kevin Davies.

Arsenal won a succession of corners but failed to convert them, leaving Bolton open to chase them on the counter attack.

Unbelievably, it was the home side who took the lead when Kevin Davies met a Joey O’Brien corner to put Bolton 1-0 ahead in just the 13th minute – poor defending from Kolo Toure and once again Arsenal go behind at the Reebok.

Goal: Kevin Davies (14)

Arsenal bossed possession in the opening stages, but it was textbook Bolton for that goal: Davies simply rose highest in the box to nod in. At the other end, Denilson had a stab from 25 yards that screamed well wide.

However, Gunners were level just 12 minutes later as Emmanuel Eboue slipped the ball home after being set up by Bendtner, although there was a suspicion of offside about the goal.

Goal: Emmanuel Eboue (26)

And just a minute later Bendtner continued to justify his inclusion by firing the Gunners into the lead from Denilson’s cross from the left, a superb goal.

Goal: Nicklas Bendtner (28)

Bolton’s best hopes are from set pieces, and Andy O’Brien hoisted another one into the box that Arsenal manage to clear. But here’s the danger: Arsenal are super-slick on the counter attack, and this time Denilson tees up Eboue in the box, who dances through three or four Bolton “defenders” before his shot is charged down.

There was time enough in this half for Kevin Davies to pick up Bolton’s seventh yellow card of the season – and it might have been red. A poor challenge from the frontman which left a sour taste in the mouth as the half came to a close.

Second Half

Johan Djourou replaced Clichy at the break after Davies’ terrible challenge on the French fullback.

As the second half began, Arsenal continued from where they left off. Alex Song with a superb effort striking Jussi Jaaskelainen who just managed to tip it over.

Gary Megson’s side upped the anti on Wenger’s men and despite some earlier attacking prowess being stemmed, Bolton found some consistency within their passing.

Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor pulled back a ball for Denilson who was unable to get to it, but it was Bolton who were causing the Gunners’ defence plenty of menace in the second period.

Bacary Sagna cracked a shot well wide of the target as Arsenal started to form a solid attacking threat from the wings.

England sensation Theo Walcott entered the stage for Emmanuel Eboue who lost his feet in the second half after scoring the equaliser early on in the game.

Sagna was involved in a head to head collision with Kevin Davies, the Bolton striker frustrated manager Arsene Wenger who protested on the sidelines.

Walcott drove a low shot across goal after some good work from Alex Song and Denilson, while Bolton started to lose their defensive effiency which boded them well throughout the latter period.

Arsenal finally got the winner with less than 3 minutes to go. Theo Walcott went on an outstanding run cutting through several players before finding Adebayor. The frontman curled the ball across goal and Denilson finished with aplomb. A deserved 3 goal lead for Wenger’s troops.

Goal: Denilson (87)

The full time whistle went. Arsenal went top of the Premier League table with Chelsea and United set to battle it out tomorrow afternoon. If the Gunners’ continue like that, the title will be heading back to its rightful owners.

Player Ratings

Almunia: 7 – So solid, made a mistake who could have cost us the 2-2, but was excellent throughout.

Clichy: 6.5 – Only played a half, glad he’s okay after poor challenge.

Gallas and Toure: 7 – Great match from our back two who were not shy to come forward.

Sagna: 6.5 – Another very good performance from the Frenchman

Denilson: 6,5 – He’s finally getting used more and more to the side and he scored another important goal

Eboue: 7 – When will people stop criticising him? He played in an usual position today, yet delivered.

Fabregas: 6 – Much, much better than Wednesday but I believe he is to be rested next week. And what’s up with his hair? Leave hair experiments for the Serie A, Cesc.

Song: 6,5 – Contrary to Wednesday, played in a more midfield position but was still comfortable and not shy to come forward, when needed.

Adebayor: 8 – No goals but man of the match. What a great, unselfish performance from the Togo striker. This is what I want from him, great strength, outrunning opponents and helping the others to score.

Bendtner: 7 – An excellent first half, a quiet second, before coming off. I was disappointed to see him
and not Vela in the starting line-up but boy, did he prove me wrong or what?

(Subs)
Djourou: 5,5 – A little shy coming into the match, improved later on but you can see that he’s still one who needs to settle in.

Walcott: 7,5 – What else to say? He’s playing the football of his life and if properly used by Wenger – as we’ve seen so far – he can help us a lot this season.

Ramsey: NA – Too little to judge.

Arsenal faced a tough trip to Kiev, somewhere they have been before on many occassions yet never come out of with a win.

But with 11 goals in the Gunners last three matches the team were on a high as they kicked off their Champions League campaign.

Dinamo Kiev Starting XI

Bogush
Betao – Diakhate – Mykhalyk – Nesmachniy
Vukojevic – Yussuf – Yeremenko – Aliev
Ninkovic – Bangoura

Arsenal Starting XI

Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Walcott- Fabregas – Song – Denilson
Adebayor – van Persie

First Half

Arsenal started off where they left off at the weekend with man-of-the-moment Theo Walcott playing a neat ball through to Robin Van Persie, but the striker failed to find the net as the shot was straight at the Kiev keeper Bogush and out for a corner.

Arsenal were keeping possession well in the midfield but the Ukrainians were slowing begin to assert themselves and the possession was becoming more and more even in the centre of the park.  But Arsenal still had the upper-hand. Dinamo gave the ball away cheaply at the back, but Adebayor failed to capitalise and all he could do was curl his shot wide of the post from 15 yards out.  It was a guilt edged chance that the Togolese striker should have buried.

Kiev were struggling to get any clear cut chances on goal, as a free kick from 30 yards was poorly taken and Arsenal were able to counter.  Adebayor was breaking, and carved up two players along the way, but a poor touch meant that the Kiev defence could clear the danger.

Bangoura’s shot flashed wide of Almunia’s goal as the home fans were beginning to find their voice and the Kiev players were responding well.  The striker proved to be a threat as he saw the Arsenal keeper off his line and attempted to fool him by trying an audacious long shot.  But the ball flew over the bar, much to Almunia’s relief.

Aliev managed to beat Clichy on the left but the resultant cross amounted to nothing as the game died down yet agin.  A slick passing play starting at the back with Sagna and found its way to Van Persie in the area, however the Dutchman’s thunderous shot fired into the side netting, he should have done better.

On the edge of Kiev’s box, Adebayor won back the ball to float in a pinpoint cross to Van Persie on the left who pulled the ball back in one touch to Fabregas.  But the talismanic Spaniard could not get a clean connection on the ball, and his shot bounced safely into the keepers hands.  Another chance had gone begging as the half finished a scrappy 0-0 draw.

Second Half

Arsenal starting off play well in Kiev’s area, but the first chance fell to the Ukrainians.  Walcott went down on the halfway line as Dinamo played on on the break.  The defence was all over the place as Ninkovic’s low drive was tipped onto the post by Almunia.

Robin Van Persie had yet another chance with the striker blazing over from the left side of the area.  Arsenal were closing down Kiev well but the Gunners failed to find the breakthrough and possession was being lost too cheaply.  Kiev were beginning to attack more often as the defence finally snuffed out an attack that starting by exposing the vulnerable left flank.  Another Arsenal movement saw the ball fall to Fabregas on the edge of the area, however attempt at a screamer was straight at the opposition keeper.

Gallas missed the ball and released Bangoura, the defence was incapable of stopping the cross.  Sagna was then deemed to have pulled down the awaiting striker but replays showed that the attacker had twisted round and through himself to ground.  Bangoura stepped up to the spot and cooly slid the ball into the bottom right hand corner as Almunia dived the wrong way.

Goal – Bangoura (61 mins)

Arsenal were slipping all over the place and and losing possession at nearly every turn.  As Kiev were sending wave after wave of attack which the Gunners back four looked to be struggling with.  Bendtner came on for Song as the team tried to increase their attacking threat. Bangoura had far too much space and time on the edge of the area but curled the ball over the bar and wide.

Eboue was brought on to replace Sagna as Arsenal desperately strived for an equaliser.  Walcott broke away and another cynical foul was unleashed on the English man.  Fabregas stepped up to whip in the free kick as the Ukrainians struggled to clear and the ball was deflected out for a corner.  Van Persie’s corner was met by Adebayor but his header was easily saved by the keeper.  Carlos Vela was then called on as the replacement for a lacklustre Van Persie.

A two-on-one break from Kiev should have punished Arsenal but an awful touch from Bangoura allowed Clichy to recover.

Arsenal kept the pressure on and a sublime cross from Walcott found its way through to Gallas who made no mistake in hammering it into the roof of the net.  Gallas find the breakthrough again.

Goal – Gallas (88 min)

The full time whistle was then blow on a poor performance from the Gunners that saw them lucky to salvage a point from a tricky encounter in Ukraine, despite the penalty decision being highly skeptical.

Player Ratings

Almunia – 6.5: Not much to do, but solid but called upon, especially when he tipped the ball onto the post

Clichy – 7.5: Probably the best player on the pitch, had to cover on the left due to Wenger’s tactical failure, and covered well in two-on-one situation

Gallas – 6.5: Failed to create solid back four and lead team, but the goal was vital, and he is beginning to establish a knack for them

Toure – 7: Made some superb saving tackles but he gave the ball away for too often

Sagna – 6.5: Lost the ball too easily, but the decision against him for the penalty was very harsh

Denilson – 5: Was mystifyingly played on the left and thus failed to make and impact and left the left side exposed

Fabregas – 4: Completely out of sorts, failed to impose himself of the game and made little impact

Song – 5: Lack of match practice showed as he gave possession away too often and couldn’t consistently set up passing moves

Walcott – 7: Worked tirelessly and was the victim of many a rough tackle, but provided a beautiful assist

Van Persie – 5: Should have done better with the chances he was providided

Adebayor – 7.5: Should have scored with guilt edged chance, but worked harder than anyone else and was highly involved in goal

Subs:

Bendtner – 3: Poor touches when on and made no impact

Eboue – 5: Sufficient cover at right back

Vela – N/A: On for too little time

Man of the Match: Emmanuel Adebayor – worked tirelessly and was always at the heart of every Arsenal chance, atoning for his missed sitter.

Arsenal midfielder Alexander Song has been drafted into the starting line-up ahead of tonights Champions League group stage tie against Dynamo Kyiv.

The versatile Cameroonian replaces Emmanuel Eboue – who sustained a knock in the 4-0 triumph over Blackburn on Saturday – and should ‘bulk’ up what looks like a physically weak midfield.

Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger starts with an unchanged side other than Song’s inclusion. Teenage sensations Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere make up an inexperienced bench, but a strong performance is expected from the eleven that start.

Confirmed Starting XI:

Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Walcott- Fabregas – Song – Denilson
Adebayor – van Persie

Subs:

Fabianski (GK), Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Djourou, Bendtner

Arsene Wenger’s first ever game in charge of Arsenal was a 2-0 win against Blackburn at Ewood Park; the same scoreline would be welcomed with opened arms if it was to occur tomorrow.

Blackburn have registered one league win in five seasons against the Gunners side, and lost eight of the 10 fixtures. Morten Gamst Pedersen scored in the only victory; 1-0 on 25 February 2006 at Ewood Park.

Match Facts

If Emmanuel Adebayor scored tomorrow, he is a hat-trick shy of 50 goals for Arsenal.

If selected, Ivorian defender Kolo Toure will be making his 200th Premier League appearance – all for the Gunners.

Also if selected, Theo Walcott will be making his 100th club career appearance (Southampton and Arsenal).

Team News:

Arsenal will assess the fitness of midfielder Samir Nasri (knee) ahead of the trip to Blackburn.

England hat-trick hero Theo Walcott could be rested to the bench on Saturday, but recent signing Mikael Silvestre (thigh) remains a doubt.

Striker Carlos Vela looks set to be given more recovery time following a late return from international duty with Mexico, while Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Abou Diaby (thigh), Amaury Bischoff (groin) and striker Eduardo (leg) remain in recovery.

Predicted Starting XI

Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Walcott – Fabregas – Song – Nasri
Adebayor – van Persie

Match Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Arsenal

Leave your views and predictions of tomorrows game in the comments section below.