Suspensions kick in for Gunners

Arsenal prepare tomorrow for their first match since the FA suspensions were imposed following the fracas against Manchester United.

Suspensions rule Ray Parlour, Lauren, Martin Keown and Patrick Vieira out of the game against Birmingham at St Andrew's.

Injuries would have prevented Lauren, Keown and Vieira taking part anyway but Arsene Wenger acknowledges the potential impact of the bans on his team. "It would seem like a good time to play us," the Arsenal manager said.

But Wenger's problems are not restricted to the Old Trafford quartet.

He will not use Gilberto Silva, who was not due back in London until this afternoon following his return from World Cup duty with Brazil, while Sylvain Wiltord is a major doubt with a groin injury.