Arsenal bans hit squad

Suspensions could cost Arsenal

Arsenal will be without five key players for Saturday's Premiership game at Birmingham City because of suspension and injury.

Wenger will be without the suspended Patrick Vieira, Ray Parlour, Lauren and Martin Keown as the Gunners look to protect their lead over Chelsea.

That quartet of players are banned as a result of the Football Association's punishment for their confrontation with Manchester United players at the end of the 0-0 Old Trafford draw in September.

The Arsenal manager will also not risk Gilberto Silva, who played the full 90 minutes for Brazil in the 3-3 World Cup qualifying draw with Uruguay.

The Brazilian is not due to return to England until Friday, ahead of Tuesday's Champions League game with Inter Milan at the San Siro.

Wenger said: "We have no problem in offensive areas but I have big problems in midfield and at the back."

In defence, Wenger will either play 18-year-old Justin Hoyte in Lauren's place or recall Pascal Cygan at centre-back and shunt Kolo Toure to right-back.

Wenger added: "I don't know what I'll do in the middle, either.

"I'll have to re-think the whole problem. At the moment I haven't made a decision."

To add to Wenger's problems, three players of that banned quartet are also carrying injuries.

Lauren is likely to be out for three to four weeks with a knee injury, while Vieira has a thigh problem and Keown is struggling with a calf injury.