Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger looks forward to the game (Radio 5 Live)

Influential stars Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit, the two players who arguably do more than any others to shape the character of the side, will both miss the crucial clash with French side Lens on Wednesday.

Petit is suspended for the Wembley showdown and fellow World Cup winner Vieira is ruled out after pulling a hamstring in the surprise 1-0 defeat by Wimbledon last Saturday.

And to make matters worse for the north London side, Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp is also likely to miss the game.

Doubt for Dennis

Bergkamp, last season's Premiership Footballer of the Year, injured a calf muscle against Wimbledon and his chances of playing on Wednesday are rated as only 50-50 by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Anelka struggles to make an impact against Wimbledon

His absence would put further pressure on teenage frontman Nicolas Anelka, as the Gunners bid to end a damaging goal drought, which has seen them find the net just three times in the last six games.

If Bergkamp does miss out, Anelka will be joined up front by Christopher Wreh.

The possible loss of three inspirational players could not have come at a worse time for Arsenal, who are now level with Lens and Dynamo Kiev on five points - one behind group E leaders Panathinaikos.

"At the moment we are not considering failure," Wenger said.

"But anything other than a win and that's it. Certainly if we lose I would say it would be impossible to qualify."

Wembley holds no fear

Lens, though, will be looking for a repeat of their first game with the English champions, when they snatched a late equaliser for a 1-1 home draw.

Wenger faces a selection headache

Coach Daniel Leclercq is determined his players must not be over-awed by playing at Wembley, the spiritual home of English football.

Czech international Vladimir Smicer, who played in the 2-0 defeat by England last week, is the only member of the Lens team with any experience of playing under the Twin Towers - and he is looking forward to appearing there again.

"The pitch is big," he said. "You can profit from the spaces."