Walcott ready for first appearance

Posted Sunday, October 04, 2009 by PA

Arsenal will have both Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott available for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Blackburn.

Bendtner has recovered from minor injuries after a car crash, while Walcott is ready for his first game of the season following a back problem.

However, forward Eduardo (groin) is out and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is still not fully match fit following a chest infection, so Vito Mannone will continue to deputise.

Samir Nasri (leg), Denilson (back), Lukasz Fabianski (knee) and Johan Djourou (knee) remain out.

Arsene Wenger admits he has questioned himself every day of the 13 years in charge of Arsenal in a quest to become an even better manager.

The French coach, who turns 60 later this month, is now the longest-serving manager in the history of the club.

However, Wenger knows despite all the success in the past - which included an unbeaten campaign on the way to the 2003/2004 title - another barren return come May next year would be a major disappointment.

"I question myself every day," said Wenger.

"I try to assess my performance with what I do and on a positive note, and ask 'How I can be better? How can I improve? How can I get this team to achieve what I believe is in the team?"'

Wenger added: "I have not exceeded my expectations because I always expect much more.

"My expectation is to win every single football game I manage and I did not do that, so I can never exceed my expectations.

"There are still more targets to achieve.

"I believe we have consistently managed to be at the top level, within our resources and improving our structures.

"The club is on a new platform and to reach many more targets.

"I believe our structures - new stadium, new training ground, a very young team, a healthy financial situation, we play at the top - means we have all the basics to be successful.

"But of course we want to win trophies because we have worked very hard with this team to be where we are.

"It is down now to us to win the Premier League, the Champions League - those are our targets."

Blackburn have defensive concerns. Club captain Ryan Nelsen suffered a heavy fall in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa and has a back problem while his defensive partner Chris Samba had to come off injured in the same game. Both face a late fitness test to see if they will be fit to play at the Emirates Stadium.

Vince Grella is unavailable due to suspension after he was sent off against Villa but there is more positive news about Gael Givet, who has returned

training this week after his knee injury, and Steven Reid, who should be available despite an Achilles problem.

Sam Allardyce hopes he and Wenger have a mutual respect for one another despite their differences over the years.

There have been few run-ins between the two managers over a period of time, with the Frenchman frequently criticising the physical approach of Allardyce's Bolton and Blackburn sides.

But while Allardyce admits there is no love lost between the pair, he hopes his opposite number has a certain level of appreciation for him and the success his style has reaped against Arsenal down the years.

Asked about their relationship, Allardyce said: "It's been interesting. I would hope that we have a mutual respect for one another, but other than that, it goes no farther.

"He's said about our aggressive nature in the way we've played against them, but it has always been within the rules and the laws of the game.

"Because we've adopted that side of it, he gets a little bit upset. But until football becomes a non-contact sport like basketball, then we will play within those rules."