It's amazing that international week has had a similar effect to World War II, but of course I exaggerate. Nonetheless the Arsenal squad is severely decimated for the game against West Bromwich Albion. Cole and Hleb could be injured for up to two months, Gilberto did not get back until Friday, van Persie is injured, and Senderos has picked up an eye infection but may be able to play. The good news is that Campbell may be fit by Tuesday, and that Henry is making good progress.

The team may well pick its self, with Bergkamp and Reyes starting up front, Clichy will replace Cole, with Senderos and Cygan challenging for Campbell's place. Flamini, Fabregas, Ljungberg and Pires must be favourites to start.

Nobody should take West Bromwich Albion lightly, even though they are considered the worst team in the league at the present. That was probably also the case when they visited Highbury last November, however the two points they took off us cost our pursuit of the championship dearly. It also helped to resuscitate West Bromwich Albion, no doubt Robson will be looking for a repetition. Nor was the match at the Hawthorns a walkover, even though the final result was two nil to the Arsenal.

An added complication is that we have to play away in the Champions League on Tuesday, and Wenger will be anxious to conserve his meagre resources. No doubt there will be some kind of rotation, especially as Prague is a bridge too far for Dennis. On the bright side the cavalry may be on its way in the shape of Campbell. One reason why Arsenal failed to beat West Bromwich Albion at Highbury last year was the inability of our defence to hold a lead, that problem has raised its ugly head again this season. The inability to defend against aerial bombardment was, largely, due to Campbell's absence. It is rather irritating that just as we began to put a series of clean sheets together, due to Campbell's return, that international week has undermined the solidity our defence was just beginning to form.

Indeed Campbell was absent the last time we conceded a goal to West Bromwich Albion, it is important that this time, whoever the personnel are, that the defence does not lose concentration especially at set pieces, or minds drifting towards Tuesday's fixture. On the bright side some of our youngsters may get cameo roles from the now depleted bench.

With no Henry, or van Persie, goals may be hard to come by, but one man has a big incentive to score. That man is Dennis Bergkamp, on his 400th appearance one goal would put him amongst the top 10 all-time Arsenal scorers. But football matches rarely run to script, leastways not the fantasy script of football fans - but it's a nice thought isn't it?