Source: SKY_Sports
Bendtner suffers injury blow
Nicklas Bendtner will play no part in Arsenal's game against Birmingham after suffering a groin problem, but Cesc Fabregas is available.
Bendtner completed 90 minutes for Denmark in midweek but aggravated an old injury in training and will not be involved at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger has a number of other absentees for the first game back after the international break, although Spanish playmaker Fabregas is okay to feature.
"Some players are not even back yet," Wenger explained at his pre-match press conference.
"(Carlos) Vela has not landed, so he will not be involved. We lost Nicklas Bendtner today in training from a recurrence of his groin. Eduardo is not back yet, because he still has a [thigh] injury.
"(Lukasz) Fabianski is not completely back. We hope he will be very soon, because he has trained normally. Gael Clichy has a small [ankle] injury, and I leave him out completely tomorrow, but Abou Diaby should be okay.
"We have a few knocks and bruises which we discovered in training when the players come back.
"But (Manuel) Almunia is back in the squad and available. Cesc Fabregas had a few personal issues but they are going better now. He is available for tomorrow. Arshavin is back and available as well."
Referees
Meanwhile, Wenger has offered his thoughts on referees following the controversy caused by Sir Alex Ferguson's recent remarks about Alan Wiley.
The Manchester United manager has since apologised for calling the official 'unfit', but Wenger feels all sides have a responsibility to behave in an appropriate manner.
"I have no relationship with the referee. I never speak to any referee," said Wenger.
"I believe that the referees have to keep their distance with the players as well.
"Personally I respect the referees and I think the referees have to keep their distances from the managers and the players."
Wenger, though, accepts there has to be censure for those who overstep the mark.
He said: "You know we are sometimes too excessive after the games.
"What we want is for everybody to be treated exactly the same so there is only one rule in the Premier League.
"When the managers do not respect the code of conduct, this rule has to be applied to everybody and I don't think even Ferguson would want to be treated differently."
