Pablo Aimar is set to return to Valencia’s starting line-up tonight for the first time since being sidelined since mid-November.
Aimar, who has been Valencia’s most influential player this season, played the last 15 minutes of Valencia’s 2-0 victory over Racing Santander in the Spanish League at the weekend.
Aimar is expected to play a key role in Valencia’s 4-4-1-1 formation against Arsenal at Highbury. However, Spanish international goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and Argentine international winger Kily Gonzalez are injured and will not play.
Aimar has dismissed recent speculation that a number of English clubs had made offers to tempt him away from the Mestella.
‘I want tostay at Valencia,’ he said.
‘I have no intention of moving and so I am taking no notice of the rumours that have appeared in the press.
‘I have no doubts at all. I am very happy with the team, the city, the club and the fans and that is why I don’t want to move.’
Arsenal are set to welcome back goalkeeper David Seaman, but could be without captain Patrick Vieira, who picked up a thigh injury in training yesterday.
‘If we play him, we risk losing him for longer,’ Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. Brazilian Edu is the most likely replacement for Vieira.
Probable teams:
: Seaman – Luzhny, Keown, Campbell, Cole – Ljungberg, Vieira or Edu, Gilberto Silva, Pires – Bergkamp, Henry.
Valencia: Palop – Curro Torres, Ayala, Pellegrino, Carboni – Rufete, Albelda, Baraja, Vicente – Aimar – Carew.
