Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has not yet decided whether to gamble on captain Cesc Fabregas for tomorrow's Champions League Group H clash against Shakhtar Donetsk at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners skipper has not featured since September 18 after suffering a hamstring problem when scoring at Sunderland as the ball was kicked against his leg before ballooning over the keeper.
Without their talismanic midfielder, Arsenal lost successive Barclays Premier League matches before the international break, although they returned to winning ways against Birmingham at the weekend.
In Europe, however, Wenger's men maintained their 100% start following a hard-earned 3-1 victory at Partizan Belgrade.
With Shakhtar - who signed Croatia forward Eduardo from Arsenal in the summer - also having picked up six points, tomorrow night's encounter could all but guarantee one side safe passage into the knockout stage.
Wenger, though, will give plenty of thought as to whether he should throw Fabregas straight back into the action.
"Cesc has prepared well. He had a little setback, but got over the hurdle and is ready to play at full fitness, but whether I start him or not, I do not know yet,'' Wenger said.
"It will be whether I take a gamble or not, because he has been out for a long time.
"But physically he is ready and fit - and wanting to play.''
Wenger continued: "You know his influence on our team, he is our leader, our passer, he has a good level of assists and a good goalscoring record.
"Ideally you want him in the team.''
Shakhtar are yet to concede a goal in Europe and domestically have recorded 15 wins out of 17 games.
Wenger is certainly not taking the Ukrainians' challenge lightly.
"In this group until now you had 12 points at stake - six went to Shakhtar, six went to Arsenal. That means what is at stake is the qualifying and also the top of the group, which is why it is a very important game.
"It is a key game because it gives us an opportunity to basically think we have qualified.''
England youngster Jack Wilshere is available despite his red card against Birmingham on Saturday
Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott are also included in the squad as Arsenal's injuries, offensively at least, begin to ease.
Eduardo is unlikely to celebrate should he score on his emotional return to Arsenal.
The 27-year-old Croatian forward headed to Ukraine in a £6million deal after finding himself down the Arsenal order following the free transfer signing of Marouane Chamakh.
Wenger found it emotional to see the Brazil-born striker leave, after he fought back to full fitness following an horrific broken leg and dislocated ankle at Birmingham in February 2008.
Eduardo maintains the time was right for him to move on, but still holds a special affection for the Gunners.
"It was great times here with Arsenal, but now I am on the other side and play for Shakhtar,'' said Eduardo, signed by Wenger from Dinamo Zagreb in July 2007 for a reported £7.5million.
"I will give them 100%, am ready to play and will give my all best tomorrow.''
However, Eduardo added: "I don't think I will celebrate.
"I respect the club.
"I had some great moments here and have respect for the supporters and Mr Wenger, for the club.
"I came from Croatia and learned a lot at Arsenal. Now I have more experience than before.
"When you play for Dinamo Zagreb and someone like Mr Wenger finds you, takes you to play in the Premier League, that is big respect. He believed in me.
"But now the most important thing is that now I am on the other side I will give all my best tomorrow.
"If I score, it will be good for Shakhtar.
"Hopefully we can finish with a positive result.''
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu refused to confirm whether Eduardo would start.
However, the Romanian admitted: "It is bound to be emotional.
"He will be on the field - when, we will see.''
Source: ESPN Soccernet on 18 Oct 10
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