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Robin van Persie has made a shock comeback in training ahead of
Arsenal's Champions League tie against Barcelona on Tuesday, but
Arsene Wenger says he will not take a "gamble" on the striker's
fitness.
Van Persie had been ruled out of the trip to Camp Nou after
injuring his knee while scoring against Birmingham in the Carling
Cup final last month. But pictures released on the club's official
website showed Van Persie participating in full training on
Monday.
The player has travelled with his team-mates to Spain but
Wenger, who said he was "very bad at mind games" when it was
suggested the news could be a bluff, will give Van Persie a fitness
test on Tuesday morning before deciding whether he will play any
part in the tie.
"He is here as a player and will have a test tomorrow," Wenger
said. "Whether he has been included in the squad has not yet been
decided.
"He has made quick progression in the last three days. This
morning he was unlikely to travel, but he wanted to go, so he had a
test and it was quite positive.
"We will not take a gamble in a game of such importance. It will
be fit or not fit. Personally I would like him to play if possible,
but I will only play him if he is 100% fit.''
Cesc Fabregas, a former youth player with Barca, has also
declared himself fit after suffering a hamstring injury that
prevented him from playing in the 0-0 draw with Sunderland on
Saturday, as well as the Carling Cup final defeat to
Birmingham.
Fabregas, who missed the second leg at Camp Nou last season due
to a broken leg, had earlier on Monday been rated as 90% likely to
play by his manager.
"My fitness is good," Fabregas said. "For the last six days I
haven't felt anything ... it was a very, very small thing that I
had. I know that I am good if selected to play."
News of Van Persie's possible availability has been welcomed by
Barca boss Pep Guardiola, who also joked that perhaps the injured
Theo Walcott and Alex Song could also return in time.
"I would like Song to play; maybe there could be a private
flight for Walcott to come in at the last minute - you never
know,'' Guardiola said. "I want all the great players to play,
everyone against everyone and see a great show tomorrow.
"I hope they are all in the team - Van Persie, [Samir] Nasri,
Cesc, because I would like to play the best possible Arsenal. If
Van Persie plays, then no problem. It is good for the team and good
for everyone. If he cannot, then Arsenal have a squad with players
at a great level.
"Arsenal have many alternatives, are very dynamic and can play
in different positions, their counter-attack is great. We will try
to prevent that."
Van Persie has been included in a 19-man squad, which will be
cut to 18 ahead of Tuesday's game at Camp Nou.
Arsenal squad:
Manuel Almunia, Wojciech Szczesny, Johan Djourou, Gael Clichy,
Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Bacary Sagna,
Sebastien Squillaci, Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Arshavin, Jack Wilshere,
Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Abou Diaby, Denilson, Nicklas Bendtner,
Marouane Chamakh, Robin van Persie.
