Monday Mar 03 2008 14:33
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has returned to the squad for Tuesday's Champions League last 16 clash with AC Milan.
The Netherlands striker, who has not featured since aggravating a thigh muscle problem in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg encounter with Tottenham on January 9, has been named in an 18-man squad to take on the reigning European champions in the second leg at the San Siro.
Van Persie has started just seven Premier League games this season following a string of niggling injuries.
Meanwhile, the Gunners continue to be without Kolo Toure through injury.
The Ivory Coast defender picked up a calf problem in the goalless first leg with the Italians at the Emirates Stadium last month and has not travelled to Milan.
Elsewhere, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has deined claims that Milan playmaker and current world player of the year Kaka will be targeted in an attempt to stifle the Brazilian's influence.
"If you kick the great players out of games then why should people watch football?" he told the club's official website.
"Great players make football a bit special - an art. If you kick them it is not acceptable.
"We will be faithful to what we do. We will try to deal with him by cutting the connections to him. We will play zonal and will not mark him man-to-man."
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