Gallas set for Arsenal return

(GETTY IMAGES)

William Gallas is expected to return to the Arsenal squad for tomorrow's Champions League clash with Dinamo Kiev at Emirates Stadium.

The controversial Gunners skipper was axed from the trip to Manchester City on Saturday, which Arsene Wenger's men lost 3-0 as their Barclays Premier League title hopes were dealt another blow, after publicly making critical remarks about the team and questioning their fighting spirit.

However, Wenger - who named goalkeeper Manuel Almunia his captain at Eastlands - maintained former Chelsea defender Gallas, 31, still had a future at the club, although the Arsenal manager refused to discuss the reasons behind the player's absence and is not expected to reinstate Gallas as skipper tomorrow.

"I will not speak about William Gallas in a post-match interview," said Wenger, who is scheduled to face the media ahead of the Kiev game at an official Uefa press conference later today.

"He is a player who did not play, so what can he do? Nothing.

"Why should we not talk about (Cesc) Fabregas and the other nine players who are not here. We can go on until midnight and I will give the same answer to the same question."