Wenger welcomes Rosicky return

Gunners boosted by Czech's recovery

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 7th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger welcomes Rosicky return

Rosicky: Fit for Everton test

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been handed a timely injury boost by the return of midfielder Tomas Rosicky for the clash against Everton.

The Gunners will be without captain Cesc Fabregas for the clash at the Emirates Stadium after the Spaniard aggravated a hamstring injury in the win over Aston Villa.

Fabregas should be in line for a return for the trip to strugglers Bolton a week later though, meanwhile defender Gael Clichy is nearing a return to give Wenger more New Year optimism.

Rosicky is set to mark his return from a hamstring problem in the same week he signed a new contract with the club.

Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue are away on African Nations Cup duty, but Denilson and Andrey Arshavin's recoveries ensure Wenger has a strong squad to pick from ahead of the visit of David Moyes' side.

"Basically [our squad] is exactly the same as it was before the Bolton game,

apart from Tomas Rosicky," said Wenger.

"We have a good hope that we will get him back in the squad. But he is the only one that should come back.

"He missed out at West Ham because of a groin injury. He has little problems but when you go back to the scan it always comes back reassuring.

"I believe that is down to the fact that he has not played for such a long time and that his body has to readapt again. But now he is back and completely fit."

Theo Walcott (side strain), Gael Clichy (back), Kieran Gibbs (foot), Robin van Persie (ankle) and Johan Djourou (knee) all remain out and the extent of Nicklas Bendtner's groin injury will be assessed on Friday when the striker undergoes tests on the problem.

Wenger added: "When Bendtner comes back on Friday we'll assess him, but I am not sure when he will come back."