Kolo misses United clash after elbow

Arsenal will be without Kolo Toure for their Premiership clash with Manchester United after the defender received a three-match ban for elbowing Alan Shearer.

Toure last night admitted a charge of violent conduct for elbowing Shearer in the back during Newcastle's 1-0 weekend defeat at Highbury after the Football Association had reviewed video evidence.

He will therefore miss not only Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Wolves, but also United's league visit next Tuesday and the Barclays Premiership game at Aston Villa four days later. Arsene Wenger looks to be faced with a straight choice between Swiss teenager Philippe Senderos and experienced French defender Pascal Cygan - now recovered from back trouble - as his replacement.

It also looks likely the Arsenal manager will rest striker Thierry Henry and maybe even captain Patrick Vieira for the game against Wolves to ensure their readiness for the clash with third-placed United.

Fredrik Ljungberg should return for the match with Wolves after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the 1-0 Premiership win over Newcastle last Sunday.

Meanwhile, Edu is likely to have left before the United game, with the 26-year-old failing to reach agreement over a new contract.