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| May 17, 2003 | Saturday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1424 |
Defensive dilemma for Arsenal in cup final
CARDIFF, May 16: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces a defensive dilemma in his buildup to Saturday’s FA Cup final against Southampton at the Millennium Stadium here.
Martin Keown is the latest worry and will have a fitness test on his thigh injury just hours before the kick-off.
Wenger is desperate for the 37-year-old to play after losing central defenders Sol Campbell, through suspension, and Pascal Cygan, with a calf strain.
Arsenal are also without injured midfield boss Patrick Vieira.
Keown pulled out of last Sunday’s league game at Sunderland after feeling a tightness in his thigh.
If Keown misses out, Wenger is likely to field Oleg Luzhny and Igors Stepanovs in the middle of his defence. However, Cameroon defender Lauren and midfielder Ray Parlour are expected to be fit.
Wenger must also decide whether to partner Thierry Henry with Sylvain Wiltord or Dennis Bergkamp up front.
Wiltord has been a regular in Wenger’s cup teams this season but missed last Sunday’s game at Sunderland with a stomach virus.—AFP
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