Team news - Arsenal v Birmingham City

Birmingham City are under new ownership for the first time this weekend, but the focus will be on Arsenal striker Eduardo at the Emirates Stadium. Hong Kong business man Carson Yeung may have taken the helm at the Blues during the international break, but the last time these two sides met in February 2008 is remembered for all the wrong reasons. Eduardo was left with a career-threatening broken leg and dislocated ankle which resulted in a red card for Birmingham's Martin Taylor. The game ended in a 2-2 draw but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger inflamed the situation by calling for Taylor to banned for life. He later retracted his comments but that may not be forgotten by Blues fans. Taylor will not be in action this weekend as he has been sidelined all season with an ankle problem. Eduardo too could miss out as he is currently struggling with a thigh strain. Elsewhere, Arsenal are looking to maintain their impressive recent form which has brought six successive victories in all competitions. The Gunners were 6-2 winners over Blackburn Rovers before the international break as Theo Walcott marked his first appearance of the season with a welcome goal. Samir Nasri (broken leg), Johan Djourou (knee) and Denilson (back) remain sidelined, but Manuel Almunia could be back in goal after shrugging off the effects of a virus. Birmingham are much changed from the side that held Arsenal to two draws in their last Premier League season. They look a stronger unit than two years ago but continue to struggle in front of goal with no player having scored more than once in the league so far this season. Seven points from eight games is a reasonable return for manager Alex McLeish but the former Scotland boss knows that he needs more to retain the support of the club's new owners. Damien Johnson (hamstring), James McFadden (thigh), Cameron Jerome (ankle), Marcus Bent (hamstring), David Murphy (knee) and Taylor are sidelined through injury.

Source: DSG