Flying right-back Eboue suffers a nagging ankle problem and Justin Hoyte is set to cover his absence.

Veteran Cameroonian right-back Lauren is available again but he is not likely to start the game after being sidelined for almost a year through injury.

The Gunners also miss captain Thierry Henry, his compatriot William Gallas and Swedish winger Freddie Ljungberg with different injures.

Arsenal are in fourth place with 30 points, 14 points adrift of leaders Manchester United after 18 games.