Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott rejoin the squad following long injuries. Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna are close but not close enough to be involved later on this afternoon. However we should see at least Cesc in midweek against FC Shakhtar Donetsk

The international break was so dull and so depressing that the thought of seeing Alex McLeish’s face in the opposition dug out isn’t so bad. Just the very thought of watching anyone around the Ashburton turf is enough to fill the pit of my stomach with butterflies.

The international break could quite easily have been seen as a great thing to have happened to our squad and equally it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Back to back Premier League defeats at the hands of West Brom at the Emirates followed by defeat to the Champions in their back yard meant that the Arsenal players have had to carry around that feeling since 3rd October 2010. On the flip side, the break has allowed the usually crowded treatment room to be a less busy room.

Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott rejoin the squad following long injuries. Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna are close but not close enough to be involved later on this afternoon. However we should see at least Cesc in midweek against FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Our opponents haven’t enjoyed the best of starts so far, they have only managed to accumulate seven points from their first seven games, only two points ahead of bottom club West Ham. At the same time, they have lost the same amount of games as Arsenal. They have drawn too many games, but one feels that another draw would bring happiness to the visiting side come the final whistle.

In this fixture last season, Birmingham City were no pushovers, they were very committed, in some cases overly committed. Just ask Theo Walcott who limped out with an injury after a follow through tackle from Liam Ridgewell. Andrey Arshavin scored the third five minutes from time to make it 3-1 but the game was tight for long periods.

Cesc Fabregas was kicked repeatedly in the return fixture at St Andrews, the game where I believe we lost the title. Samir Nasri’s superb goal nine minutes from time should have given Arsenal all three points until Kevin Phillips freak goal in stoppage time. That draw was worse than many defeats that season in my eyes.

Manuel Almunia took plenty of the blame for that goal last season and it will be interesting to see who will be handed the gloves as Lukasz Fabianski has been in good form since replacing Almunia after his West Brom nightmare. Almunia could well be fit to play but it would be unlike Arsene to drop players who are in good form but at the same time Manuel Almunia hadn’t put a hand wrong until the West Brom game.

Aleksandr Hleb returns to Arsenal for the first time since leaving for the greener grass. The silky midfielder was always a favourite of mine and now that he has publicly admitted his stupidity, I can forgive him. As long as he doesn’t do anything stupid like create or score a goal for Birmingham City.

It looks like giant striker Nikola Zigic will be given a start in a bid to upset our defence who will arguably be without the first choice pairing of Vermaelen and Koscielny. Squillaci and Djourou may not directly beat Zigic in the air but dealing with the knock downs and stopping crosses from coming into our penalty box will be just as important.

Arsene usually tends to rest a few faces after the international break so I expect a few surprises. Kieran Gibbs is my bet for the left back spot, especially as Clichy’s form hasn’t been red hot of late. Tomas Rosicky played in two full matches so I expect our little Mozart to take his spot on the bench, Theo Walcott has apparently looked sharp in training and could be the surprise starter.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a fresh Denilson start the game, in fact I would expect him to do so but I just do not know who Arsene would leave out.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Marouane Chamakh

The powerful striker has not scored since our 4-1 victory against Bolton on the 11th September, with another home game on the horizon, I am hoping that the law of averages give Chamakh the opportunity to add to his Arsenal account. Chamakh was missing his shooting boots against Chelsea, on another day he could have walked away from Stamford Bridge with at least a brace but it wasn’t to be. With Robin Van Persie expected to have an extended stay on the sidelines you would be hoping and praying that Chamakh can get back on the goal trail because a sharp Bendtner is lurking in the picture waiting to grab his chance.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Arsenal 2 (Chamakh, Bendtner) Birmingham City 0

Birmingham City will provide a tough test for Arsenal this afternoon, they will be looking to prevent Arsenal from getting into a rhythm, so I am expecting the usual tough tackles early in the game. Last season Birmingham City have proved to be strong defensively so we have to play at a quick tempo and attack them when we can whilst being aware of the counter attack.

If we can deliver a performance similar to the one on show at Stamford Bridge then I am confident that we will have enough quality to beat them but I think we may have to remain patient. Hopefully the missed chances at Chelsea can be converted this afternoon.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!