Song faces late check

23 April 2010 08:38

Arsenal will hand a late fitness test to midfielder Alex Song as the Gunners look to secure their place in the top three with victory over Champions League challengers Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Song has not featured since before the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona after a scan revealed inflamed cartilage in his knee.

"Maybe Song (could be off the injury list)," manager Arsene Wenger said. "He has a test on Friday and we will see. He is a question mark."

He added: "Apart from that, nobody is back. Andrey Arshavin is out. Everyone else - (William) Gallas, (Manuel) Almunia, Denilson - is still out too."

Defenders Kieran Gibbs (foot) and Johan Djourou (knee) are approaching fitness after long-term injuries, however.

"Djourou has a little chance (to play again this season) but Gibbs will be very short," Wenger said.

The fact his side have now failed to win a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup is not lost on Wenger, who is set to strengthen the squad during the summer.

Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh is in line to finally arrive at Arsenal, on a free from Bordeaux.

Arshavin believes with a few additions, the Gunners can last the distance.

"We had hoped for more, so we can't be satisfied with third," the Russian said. "I can only say that next season we must try to solve this problem. It exists, so therefore something must be done."

Source: PA