Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland

Arsenal v Sunderland: Preview

Updated: February 20, 2009, 1:56 PM UK

Russia international Andrei Arshavin looks set to make his Arsenal debut against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.

Winger Emmanuel Eboue is back from suspension after missing Monday night's FA Cup win over Cardiff, while defender Johan Djourou is also available following illness. However, striker Eduardo is missing because of a hamstring problem suffered on his goalscoring return from a year out with a broken leg.

Abou Diaby (thigh), Mikael Silvestre (thigh), Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring), Cesc Fabregas (knee), Theo Walcott (shoulder), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring tendon) remain sidelined.

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arshavin will play some part against Sunderland as the Gunners look to maintain their bid for a top-four place.

The 27-year-old has not figured since completing his protracted transfer from Zenit St Petersburg at the conclusion of the winter transfer window.

It had been mooted the Russia midfielder, who moved to the Gunners for a fee of around £15million, would play some part in the north London derby against Tottenham shortly after his arrival at the club.

However, despite being named as a substitute, Arshavin did not make an appearance as the teams produced a goalless draw at White Hart Lane.

Now the Frenchman has revealed Arshavin will make his Gunners bow, but insists he is undecided as to whether the playmaker will start against the Black Cats.

"He will be involved,'' Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "But I have not decided what I will do with him yet.''

Arshavin has not played a competitive match since the end of the Russian Premier League season in late November but Wenger expects the player to reach full fitness next week.

"He is still working on preparation and he is not qualified for the (Champions League) game against Roma (on Tuesday) so we can give him another week of hard work,'' said Wenger.

"At the end of next week, that will be three weeks with us and one week with Zenit, that should be enough.''

Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley sits out through suspension.

That opens the door for either Calum Davenport or Tal Ben Haim to make their debut after recently joining the Black Cats on loan from West Ham and Manchester City respectively.

Midfielder Teemu Tainio is available after missing the last three matches with a knee injury, while defender Paul McShane may come into contention as he is back in full training after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia has told his players he will always remain 'Mr Approachable'.

Black Cats midfielder Dwight Yorke this week commented Sbragia would have to change his style after stepping up to the role of manager from first-team coach recently.

"He will feel he is still Ricky, but you have to approach him in a different manner, not just as a friend,'' remarked Yorke.

"I'm sure he likes people calling him Ricky, but it's a case of stepping up to the plate and saying 'I am gaffer now.'''

Sbragia's demeanour will undoubtedly be in stark contrast to that of predecessor Roy Keane, who it is understood adopted a stand-offish manner with his players.

Sbragia, though, feels it is imperative to maintain a rapport with his squad, to ensure they understand him and he understands them.

"I've not changed,'' insisted Sbragia, who has now been in the job since early December following Keane's exit.

"I'm not isolated from them. I try to make sure they see me around, that I'm about and I'm approachable to them.

"They also know I'll tell them the truth. I'm honest with them and I talk to them on a daily basis, either via an informal word on the training pitch or I may have to bring them into the office.

"If I have to drop someone, I'll do it, but I'll speak to them on Friday first. I prefer to tell them why.

"I won't just put up a team-sheet, so they go and look and see they've been left out. I think they appreciate it, even if they're not happy with it.

"Obviously, different managers work in different ways. I've always thought as a coach you have to be around them if they've got problems.

"When you see them coming into work, and you look at them and their body language, they might not be up for training.

"You need to know that, and I won't know that if I'm pen-pushing all the time. I can do that later.

"So we have breakfast and lunch together. I don't isolate them as I like to have a chat with them, discuss the papers and what's being said.

"I want them to come in and enjoy the place, and if we get them coming in and wanting to train, then we get the best out of them.''