By Joe Drabble Last updated: 7th February 2008
Flamini: Doubt for Rovers clash
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hoping midfield maestro Mathieu Flamini will recover in time for his side's match against Blackburn on Monday night.
Flamini is a doubt for the visit of Rovers after he was forced off the field after suffering a thigh injury during France A's goalless draw with DR Congo in Spain on Tuesday.
While Wenger's dislike of international friendlies is likely to have intensified, Flamini is optimistic he can shrug off the injury in time and help maintain the Gunners' strong title challenge.
"It is just a little tight spot behind the right thigh," Flamini said.
"It is nothing serious, I hope I'll be ready for Blackburn."
Despite a speedy recovery Wenger is still unlikely to be impressed with the organisation and timing of the international fixtures.
The Arsenal chief has already developed a frosty relationship with France coach Raymond Domenech - claiming last week that these latest international fixtures are 'ones you could do without'.
Wenger also stated: "I think that if you did a poll of all the clubs involved in the Champions League I wouldn't be surprised if 100 per cent of them said let's get rid of it."
Robin Van Persie has been sidelined for the majority of Arsenal's current campaign after suffering a knee injury whilst on international duty with the Netherlands.

Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal - Le Tissier
Burnley 1-1 Aston Villa - O'Neill
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal - Wenger
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal - Bruce
Wenger - French should offer replay
Wolves 1-4 Arsenal - McCarthy
Wolves 1-4 Arsenal - Wenger
Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 24th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Standard Liege |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Stoke |
| Wednesday 9th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Olympiacos vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 13th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Liverpool vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 16th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Arsenal vs Hull |
| Sunday 27th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
| Wednesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Portsmouth vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 9th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Everton |
| Sunday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Bolton vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
| Tuesday 9th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Liverpool |
| Saturday 20th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Sunderland |
| Saturday 27th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Arsenal |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 AZ | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Wednesday 28th October | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Arsenal 2 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 20th October | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| AZ 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 4th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 6 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Tuesday 29th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Olympiacos | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 0 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 22nd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 16th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Standard Liege 2 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 4 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 26th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Celtic | |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Celtic 0 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 1 - 6 Arsenal | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 13 | 33 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 13 | 28 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 12 | 25 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 13 | 22 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 12 | 22 |
Pictures from Saturday's action where Liverpool draw with Man City and Arsenal lose away.
Bristol City fan Hannah Shine was strutting her as the Soccerette in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Preston North End fan Hazel Fox was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Cesc Fabregas has revealed how Arsene Wenger keeps pushing the Arsenal players to fulfil their potential.
Arsene Wenger has declared that contract talks are underway with William Gallas, Tomas Rosicky and Carlos Vela.
A second-half goal from Darren Bent was enough to give Sunderland a shock 1-0 victory over Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger says that his side were punished for a lack of mental preparation against Sunderland.
Chelsea continued their relentless march at the top of the table as Arsenal lost to Sunderland and Manchester City held Liverpool.