No Silva lining for Gunners

Arsenal will be without Gilberto Silva for their crucial Champions League match against Internazionale at the San Siro tonight.

Arsene Wenger had to leave out the Brazilian because he is still suffering from exhaustion after being on international duty last week. Silva did not return to England until Friday afternoon and is still suffering from the affects of his journey back from South America.

He also picked up a groin injury in training on Sunday and although this has cleared up, Wenger will not risk him in a game Arsenal need to win.

A draw - depending on the result of the Lokomotiv Moscow-Dynamo Kiev game in Russia - might be enough but defeat would end their hopes of reaching the knock-out stages.

With Lauren, Patrick Vieira and Sylvain Wiltord already absent through injury, Dennis Bergkamp unable to travel because of his fear of flying and Martin Keown only fit enough

for a place on the bench, the loss of Silva is a major blow.

His non-availability will only strengthen the argument of vice-chairman David Dein that clubs should be financially compensated for players who are unfit for domestic football after playing for their countries.