Squad sheets: Arsenal v Birmingham City

Given these teams' recent histories, which featured Eduardo Da Silva's broken leg following a tackle by Martin Taylor at Birmingham two years ago, plus the ongoing controversy regarding questionable challenges, this contest should make fascinating viewing. Especially as each side suffered reverses in their previous Premier League outing a fortnight ago, when Arsenal were defeated 2-0 at Chelsea and Birmingham lost by the same score at home to Everton. Arsène Wenger's side also require victory to convince they can still be credible title challengers this season. Jamie Jackson Venue Emirates Stadium, Saturday 3pm Tickets Sold out Last season Arsenal 3 Birmingham 1 Referee M Atkinson This season's matches 6 Y 19, R 2, 3.50 cards per game Odds Arsenal 1-3 Birmingham 10-1 Draw 9-2 Arsenal Subs from Szczesny, Rosicky, Gibbs, Vela, Denílson, Eastmond, Lansbury, Walcott, Emmanuel-Thomas, Bendtner Doubtful Bendtner (groin), Walcott (ankle) Injured Almunia (elbow, 19 Oct), Fábregas (hamstring, 19 Oct), Koscielny (back, 24 Oct), Sagna (thigh, 27 Oct), Vermaelen (achilles, 27 Oct), Ramsey (broken leg, Nov), Frimpong (knee, May) Suspended None Form guide LLDWWW Disciplinary record Y12 R2 Leading scorer Walcott 4 Birmingham Subs from Taylor, Murphy, Fahey, Jiranek, Parnaby, Phillips, Vallès, O'Connor, Jerome, Míchel Doubtful Jerome (ankle) Injured Beausejour (knee, 23 Oct), McFadden (knee, 23 Oct) Suspended Gardner (second of three) Form guide LDLDDW Disciplinary record Y12 R1 Leading scorer Gardner 3 Match pointers • Birmingham have not won at Arsenal in any competition since October 1957 – a run of 27 games • Manuel Almunia has saved five of the six penalties he has faced in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium • Roger Johnson has blocked 12 shots this season, more than any other player • Andrey Arshavin has created more goalscoring chances (21) than any other player this season • Birmingham have failed to keep a clean sheet against Arsenal in 11 of their previous 12 Premier League meetings