Arsenal have been hit by a second significant injury withdrawal ahead of tonight's potential title decider at Old Trafford, with captain Tony Adams being ruled out of the game.
Manager Arsene Wenger revealed yesterday that leading scorer Thierry Henry would be unable to play any part in the match, in which Arsenal need a point to secure the double.
However, just like Henry, Adams has also been unable to travel up to Manchester for the game with a knee injury.
Wenger had been confident about his skipper's fitness before a late fitness test, claiming: "At the moment, he looks okay and he likes these sort of games. Of course I would like him out there."
However, he will now recall Martin Keown alongside Sol Campbell, giving the 35-year-old centre-back a final chance to press his claims for a World Cup squad place in front of either Sven-Goran Eriksson or Tord Grip.
In a further twist, Wenger may also be forced to go into tonight's game without Dennis Bergkamp due to a heel injury.
With Henry already missing, the Arsenal boss would not want to be without his entire first-choice strike force, with Kanu on standby to partner Sylvain Wiltord up front.
However, Wenger is fully aware that even if Arsenal lose at Old Trafford tonight, they can still clinch the title by defeating Everton at Highbury on Saturday and so he will not want to take an undue risks.
He will leave a decision on Bergkamp until later but with Wiltord moving up front, Edu is expected to come back into central midfield, with Ray Parlour moving over to the right flank.
So looks like Keown will play alongside Campbell.
Manager Arsene Wenger revealed yesterday that leading scorer Thierry Henry would be unable to play any part in the match, in which Arsenal need a point to secure the double.
However, just like Henry, Adams has also been unable to travel up to Manchester for the game with a knee injury.
Wenger had been confident about his skipper's fitness before a late fitness test, claiming: "At the moment, he looks okay and he likes these sort of games. Of course I would like him out there."
However, he will now recall Martin Keown alongside Sol Campbell, giving the 35-year-old centre-back a final chance to press his claims for a World Cup squad place in front of either Sven-Goran Eriksson or Tord Grip.
In a further twist, Wenger may also be forced to go into tonight's game without Dennis Bergkamp due to a heel injury.
With Henry already missing, the Arsenal boss would not want to be without his entire first-choice strike force, with Kanu on standby to partner Sylvain Wiltord up front.
However, Wenger is fully aware that even if Arsenal lose at Old Trafford tonight, they can still clinch the title by defeating Everton at Highbury on Saturday and so he will not want to take an undue risks.
He will leave a decision on Bergkamp until later but with Wiltord moving up front, Edu is expected to come back into central midfield, with Ray Parlour moving over to the right flank.
So looks like Keown will play alongside Campbell.