Tonight's team news - Vieira to start

Last updated : 24 February 2004 By Chris Parry
He took a knock on the knee at Stamford Bridge, but Arsene Wenger has confirmed his availability, saying:

"His knee swelled up after the game, but it was just a direct knock. It's okay. The swelling has gone down, so he will start the game."

Ashley Cole and Gilberto Silva will both be missing, as will Ray Parlour and long-term absentee Sylvain Wiltord.

Dennis Bergkamp will be watching on TV at home, therefore our strike pairing will be any two of Henry, Kanu and Reyes, with the young Spaniard likely to start having not been involved last weekend.

Arsene Wenger has never presided over a winning Arsenal side in Spain - Let's hope that changes tonight.

He said:

"I have never had an easy game against a Spanish team and I'd prefer to have played Celta Vigo two months ago as they looked really down and now seem like they are coming up again.

"We have a great confidence but it's a different type of football and it's direct knock-out. We have to stop Vigo playing because they are technically a good side. We have to avoid the kind of mistake which we made at the start against Chelsea, but knock-out football should suit us."