Arsenal will be
without first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for their Champions
League opener against French champions Montpellier.
After missing two games, Szczesny returned for the 6-1
thrashing of Southampton at the weekend but has been ruled out with an
ankle injury.
Vito Mannone will again deputise, while Abou Diaby (hip) is in the squad.
Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Bacary Sagna (leg) and Emmanuel Frimpong (knee) are out.
"Vito is very close to the number one jersey, and he gets another opportunity now," said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
"He has belief and he has the mental strength to deal with that.
"He was on the list as goalkeeper number five at the
beginning of the season and now he is number two. That shows you how
quickly football can change."
With Lukasz Fabianski also sidelined because of injury,
and Argentina youth international Damian Martinez not on Arsenal's
Champions League squad list, 21-year-old academy product James Shea will
be on the bench.
Russian winger Andrey Arshavin was not selected for the
trip as Wenger's men look to start their Champions League campaign with
a win.
Wenger will watch the game from the stands while he serves the first of a
three-match ban for confronting the referee following their last-16 defeat by AC Milan
in March.
Striker Olivier Giroud, who joined Arsenal this summer, is available to play
against his old club.
Montpellier, who are making their Champions League
debut, have won only one of their first five games as they seek to
defend their French league title.
"What is happening at the moment is a bit depressing," Montpellier coach Rene Giraud said.
"We need to waken up quickly because, if not, we are
going to be in for a big fall on Tuesday against Arsenal. We are
conceding silly goals. It is quite worrying."
