Armand Traore boost for Arsenal

Arsenal have only one player certain to return from injury for this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa.

That man will be in the form of Armand Traore who limped off late in the visit to Liverpool with a hamstring problem.

Since then, Mikael Silvestre has duly deputized at left-back but the young Frenchman is set to regain his place on Sunday in what should be a frenzy encounter with Aston Villa.

“Compared to the game against Hull we have Traore available again,” Wenger said. “But he is the only one back.”

The menace of Martin Oneill’s side on either flank – with Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor catalysts – will mean the pace of Arsenal’s defense will be at test.

And much needed will be a full-back with the quickness of Armand Traore whom Wenger revealed as one of his top three fastest players in the squad during the recent web chat held by the club.

“The fastest three players, I would say are Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela and Armand Traore.” said Wenger.

“We don’t test their fastness very regularly because once the season has started, it would be hard to go out there and test them. So we test them especially at the beginning of the season – many times when they come back from injury to test their level.”

First choice left-back Gael Clichy will remain sidelined for two more weeks with a stress fracture on his back while Cesc Fabregas is rated “50:50” by Wenger to make Sunday’s match.