Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger opted not to risk France defender Mikael Silvestre for the start of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United.
Silvestre has been struggling with a groin injury and was only fit enough to make the bench, with Swiss centre-back Johan Djourou starting alongside Kolo Toure at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
However Wenger was able to welcome back Robin van Persie after the Dutch forward missed Arsenal’s last four matches with a groin injury suffered in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
As expected, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was fit to play following the rib injury he sustained in the 1-0 first leg victory over Arsenal last week.
Patrice Evra, United’s French left-back, was also named in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting line-up despite suffering a leg injury at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney started up front on his own for United, with Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez on the bench.
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