The injury to William Gallas is back at ‘square one’.

The in-form centre half last played for Arsenal in the 1-0 win over Liverpool on February 10. Since then a troubling calf problem has kept him sidelined, even though it was first thought to be minor. Speaking on the eve of the Champions League tie with Porto, Arsène Wenger admitted the 32-year-old had broken down the day before, would miss the trip to Hull at the weekend and his problem had barely improved from when he first got it.

''Gallas has been out for a month and now he has had a recurrence of his calf injury,” said the manager. “He felt very well yesterday and went out but he has gone backwards again. We are at the starting point with Gallas unfortunately.

“At the beginning it was a minor injury. We don't know how long it will be now. He had a scan on Monday and we will assess it from there but for Hull, for example, he has no chance.

''We were impatient with him and we pushed him and he wanted to get on as well, that is why maybe it has happened. But there is no obvious sign as to why it keeps coming back. He has no pain at all, then goes for a little jog and then it goes again.”

Meanwhile Gallas’ contract is up in the summer. The two Frenchmen are set to continue talks very soon but Wenger has strict policies on players over 30 and it appears he will be sticking with them.

''We meet his agent this week,” said the manager. “I am very resolute. Usually we always offer a one-year contract for an older player.”

Sol Campbell says it was "brilliant" to play his first Arsenal match at Emirates Stadium.

Tuesday night's 5-0 win against Porto was the defender's first at his 'new' ground having left the Club before the move from Highbury was complete in 2006.

Campbell helped Arsenal advance to the Champions League Quarter-Finals and then told reporters that he enjoyed every minute of his ‘home debut'.

"It's great to be back in the Arsenal mix," he said. "That was my first game for Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

"It was great. This is a fantastic stadium and it was brilliant to be out there with the lads.

"I'm level-headed and I won't get carried away but it is great to be back and great to be in this kind of environment."

The defender was understandably delighted with the 5-0 win over Porto, describing the match as one of those moments that make the game so special.

"It's fantastic for Arsenal to be in the Quarter-Finals," he acknowledged. "It was a great response and the team played fantastically tonight. You play football for those kinds of moments but now we need to keep on going.

"The lads played really well and put a great shift in."

Emmanuel Eboue was delighted to score on Tuesday because it proved to his friends that he does know how to beat the keeper.

The defender says he has been the butt of jokes for what his friends say is a lack of confidence in front of the net.

However, the 26-year-old struck his ninth Arsenal goal in the Gunners' 5-0 win over Porto on Tuesday night and hopes that might just keep his friends quiet in future.

"Everyday my friends laugh about me," he said after the match. "They say: 'Manu, he does everything and then when he comes in front of the goalkeeper he is scared to score', so today I tried to show them I can score."

Eboue was joined on the scoresheet in the Champions League victory by Samir Nasri and hat-trick hero Nicklas Bendtner, and the Ivorian was impressed by both of their performances.

"Everyone knows Samir Nasri is very good," stated Eboue. "He is so quick and he is good with the ball. For me tonight he did well and we are happy for him.

"Nicklas missed a lot of chances when we played Burnley so against Porto we were so happy for him. On Monday he worked very, very hard in training so now we are so happy for him because he scored a hat-trick."

The result puts Arsenal into the draw for the Quarter-Finals of this year's Champions League. Last season the Gunners lost out in a Semi-Final clash with Manchester United, but Eboue sees no reason why the team can't better that this time round.

"Last year and this year is not the same," he said. "We have got more maturity and more solidarity and I think if we continue to play like this together then why can we not do something?

"For us at the moment we have got confidence in our team. We beat Porto but now we forget this game and try to focus on the game against Hull.

"We know we are in the Quarter-Finals so we don't think about it, we think about the Premier League because we have another big game on Saturday against Hull. We must think about that game now."

Thomas Vermaelen insists that Arsenal are not afraid of any team in the Champions League.

The Belgian defender was at his indomitable best as Arsène Wenger's side swept Porto aside on Tuesday night. Vermaelen kept the back door firmly shut to lay the foundations for a 5-0 victory which took Arsenal into the Quarter-Finals.

The draw for the last eight takes place next Friday and some fans might prefer to avoid Manchester United or Chelsea - if they stay in the competition - in light of recent Premier League defeats against both sides. But Vermaelen believes Arsenal can go all the way in Europe, regardless of who they have to face.

"It's possible that we can play them [Manchester United] in the Quarter-Finals but it's just a different game," said Vermaelen.

"Maybe we can learn from the games we played against Chelsea and Manchester United earlier. Maybe we can learn those things and get on with it in the next games. As a football player you can never be afraid of anyone. It's always a good game when you face United and Chelsea, you are enjoying it a lot when you're playing against such good teams.

"I'm convinced we can win this competition. Otherwise I wouldn't be stood here. You have to stay focused in every game and be confident in every game."

Arsenal have been written off on various occasions this season but are still challenging strongly for silverware at home and abroad. The focus now turns to the Premier League clash with Hull on Saturday and Vermaelen believes that Arsenal can prove their critics wrong by the end of the campaign.

"We've been written off twice already I think," he said. "Maybe [we will have the last laugh] we will see at the end of the season. You have to focus every game and we will see where we are at the end of the season.

"We're still in the race for both things, for the League and the Champions League, but you have to stay focused on every game. Every game is difficult and you cannot look further than one game. You have to focus on the next game and that is Hull City. You have to win every game."

Thomas Vermaelen has hailed Nicklas Bendtner's hat-trick on Tuesday night as a "brilliant comeback".

The Dane missed a number of chances in Arsenal's 3-1 win over Burnley at the weekend. However, the 22-year-old responded by netting three times in the win over Porto, becoming the first man to score a European hat-trick at Emirates Stadium.

The performance impressed centre-half Vermaelen, who believes Bendtner gives Arsenal an extra dimension in attack.

"Bendtner came back brilliantly," he said. "As a striker you have to stay confident all the time because there are some games when you don't score and that was the case on Saturday.

"Against Porto he responded brilliantly. He didn't only score three goals, he won a lot of headers and that is important for the team.

"He doesn't struggle with confidence and that is a good thing for a striker. You always need a good centre-forward who scores goals for the team, he did that against Porto and I hope he will score a lot of goals in the future.

"For us it's good that Nicklas is there, you can give the long ball and he wins headers and you can put opponents under pressure. Sometimes that is really good. It gives you more options.

"He is still young, he has a lot of qualities - he's here at Arsenal so that means he has a lot of qualities. I hope he will score a lot of goals in the future to help us.

"On Saturday he was still confident and I appreciate that because for a striker you have to be like that all the time. After Porto he was no different to how he was against Burnley, he was just happy with the three goals and how he performed."

On the win at Hull…
“It was a very big win. When you play a difficult game at midweek there is a lot of mental tension. And we came here and won today, so of course a big three points. We know what is at stake every time you go away like that. We needed the three points and we got it after 90 minutes, exactly like at Stoke. It tells you that it was a difficult game, but as well that we have desire and mental strength and we never give up. And for such a young team that is great.”

On if he saw the last-second goal coming…
“Yes. But I could also see goals missing because we had the chances to score. And when you miss so many obvious chances, then you think you will not be punished. We’re always leaving it until late at the moment, maybe it’s not good for my heart, but for the championship, it’s not bad.”

On Arsenal’s title chances…
“I believe first of all, that we are in the fight and we have eight games to go. We are in there, why should we not believe? What I especially believe is that we will give absolutely everything to do it and we have seen that again today. We got jaded but still kept going. There is team spirit there and it is special. You can see that.”

On the incident between Bendtner and Boateng…
“I didn’t see it and I have not spoken with Nicklas yet. But I don’t think that Boateng can complain today for being sent off.”

On comparing Boateng’s tackle on Sagna to the Ramsey tackle…
“I don’t know. I believe it’s difficult to come back to the Ramsey tackle. We will need some time to analyse it. At the time I said what I had to say but I listened to many people’s opinions, some were professional players. Some said it was a reckless tackle, and some not. For me, that’s why I believe trust is very important to believe that that guy going in for a tackle has a fair intention. And only the player knows, sometimes, what he was doing.”

On whether Sol Campbell was lucky not to be sent off…
“No. Because it was a good tackle and I felt it was fair on him.”

On the penalty…
“As a penalty incident, maybe you could say if he gives red he gives red, but having seen it, I think Vennegoor of Hesselink played it in an intelligent way. He did what an intentioned striker does in the box, he went straight at Sol and he had no other option but to touch him. But there was no real intention to make a penalty. It was accidental, and he was not in a position to score at the moment he did it. But he was offside at the start.”

On Bendtner’s performances since Burnley…
“You are always judged on the performance of the day, and on that day maybe he deserved the criticism. But the best way to answer the critics is to come up with a better performance.”

On whether Arsenal’s run-in could lead to complacency…
“Well, you have seen the comfort today. After 90 minutes, it was 1-1 at Stoke, and after 90 minutes it was 1-1 here at Hull. That tells you how easy it will be.”

On the injuries to key players…
“Rosicky and Fabregas have a good chance to be ready for next week. Gallas, no.”

On whether Sol Campbell can continue to start every game…
“When we play once a week, it is okay. When we play three games per week it is a bit too much.”

Arsène Wenger has hailed the ‘spot-on’ attitude of his side after Saturday’s late, late win at Hull.

Nicklas Bendtner’s injury-time strike kept Arsenal in the thick of the title race just when it seemed two points were slipping away at the KC Stadium.

Wenger knows his young side lack the experience of lifting a trophy but, he argues, goals like that prove their mental mettle.

“These kinds of wins strengthen our belief but I think they are more a consequence of our spot-on attitude,” said the Frenchman.

“It is something special for such a young team to have that. It comes from the desire to win something.

“We started to build this team three or four years ago. The age is around 22 and now people are saying: 'yes, but what did you win?' Well that desire to win something is certainly evident.

“We haven't won anything yet and as long as you have not won anything it will play on your mind. We have lost the spine of our team [in recent games] yet we can still turn up and win games. That shows something. We have built a good squad here with an exceptional spirit.”

Leaving it late is the mark of champions, according to Arsène Wenger.

Arsenal secured a crucial 2-1 victory in injury time at Hull on Saturday. A fortnight earlier they had done the same thing at Stoke and, in fact, in their last five games Wenger’s men have scored six goals in the 90th minute or later.

The manager puts this tardiness down to technique and belief. He has admitted he could do without the adrenaline shot but his side's ability to fathom out a win in tight circumstances has a title-winning quality to it.

“Manchester United used to score late, yes,” he said. “I believe that this season nobody has scored more than Arsenal in the last 15 minutes. Maybe it is down to a technical superiority and a never-give-up attitude. That is what I like in my team. When I see them on the pitch, I know they will not give up.”

They had that same attitude when at the end of November they trailed leaders Chelsea by 11 points. Right now they are just two points adrift of Manchester United, who top the table.

“I knew that they would not give up then but at some stage we needed results to start going for us,” he said. “You could not predict that, frankly.

“Our attitude has been spot on and we have deserved the wins. The rest of the season will be tight, interesting and exciting and that is all you need when you work in newspapers.

“I don't know if this would be my best achievement, let's achieve something first!

“But with eight games - four at home, four away - to go we are still in the race. So let’s have a go.”

Theo Walcott can become a major player for Arsenal and shouldn’t be judged on his injury-hit season, according to Ray Parlour.

The former Arsenal midfielder even drew similarities between the England international, 21 today, and David Beckham during the peak of his career.

Walcott has recently re-found his form after receiving criticism for some of his performances while returning from a string of injuries during the first six months of his season.

Speaking at 'An Audience with Ray Parlour' to be shown soon on TV Online, the Double-winner defended Walcott's form in this campaign and asserted his belief that the striker will play a large part in Arsenal's future.

"Players like Theo Walcott have massive potential," he commented. "I would not say he has had a bad season it is just that he has not had a run in the team.

"Against Burnley, he was brilliant, absolutely fantastic. But if you are going to be a big player you need to do that week in week out at a consistent level.

"Theo will do that once he gets his injuries sorted out. Once he does that he can be a massive player for Arsenal.

"The ball he put over at the start of the second half at Hull was like Beckham in his prime. But Theo has got pace as well. He has just got to get injury free now and get a run in the team."

Nice striker Loic Remy admits Arsenal would be his first choice should interest from Europe's elite generate this summer.

The France international has been making headlines in his homeland with 11 goals in 29 games for the struggling Ligue 1 outfit and a return to his first club Lyon almost materialised in January.

The 23-year-old, who was also linked with the Gunners during the January transfer window, is hoping to secure a move away from the Stade Municipal du Ray after a fall out with Nice supporters earlier in the season.

Remy made no secret of his desire to return to Lyon, but after hearing reports of Arsene Wenger's interest from the Emirates, he concedes such a proposition would be too good to turn down.

"I will not hide that if I have a choice, Arsenal would be my priority," Remy admitted to www.rmc.fr.

"Arsenal is a young team that develops the game and with ambitions. It is a pleasure to see them play and it would be an ideal place to continue to grow.

"In football, you never know what will happen. But Arsenal is a club that makes me jealous."
Compatriots

The former Lens loanee has spoken to compatriots Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna about Arsenal in the past and, after being called up to the France national side, has now heard good reports from Gunners legend Thierry Henry.

"Henry remains my favourite player and it is a pleasure for me to see him and discuss with him in the national team," revealed Remy.

"I asked him about Arsenal and how life was there. I asked him questions because I am a fan of this club since I was little. I was not disappointed from what he told me.

"Arsenal is a club that has many strengths. The fact that there are many Frenchmen there would promote this change for me.

"I haven't spoke yet about my future with my agent. I want to finish the season as best as possible with Nice.

"The World Cup, if I go, may be a good way to get noticed. But I'm really not in a hurry.

"For now, I have not had any particular contact, either from Lyon or any other club. Lyon have twice already shown an interest last summer and in January.

"Lyon is still a club in my heart, but I will not deny that if I have a better deal elsewhere, I will sign."

He reiterated: "If I have a choice, Arsenal would be my priority."

Thomas Vermaelen believes this season is probably his best ever - even though it's not over yet.

The Belgian defender was a relative unknown when he moved to Emirates Stadium from Ajax last summer but the 24-year-old has been a revelation in his debut campaign in English football.

He has missed just one game in the Premier League - serving a suspension at Birmingham on Saturday - and has added steel to the Arsenal back four. What's more Vermaelen has surprised everyone with his eye for goal, scoring eight times already.

He faces perhaps his biggest test yet against Lionel Messi et al on Wednesday night but Vermaelen already rates this season as a memorable one.

"For me it is the first time I have played for such a big club," he said.

"It is a new season in a new League and I am enjoying it a lot. I am very happy to play and maybe it is one of the best seasons I have achieved.

"But I have no time to be proud. I am still only 24 and there is room for me to develop as a player. I am happy at the moment, but things can be better in the future."

Arsène Wenger says he has never sent out a team with the express intention of kicking their opponents.

The issue of tough tackling has arisen, yet again, in the light of Craig Gardner’s challenge on Cesc Fabregas at Birmingham on Saturday. It left the Spaniard struggling for the remainder of the game and means he is odds-against to face Barcelona on Wednesday night.

"You analyse the tackle and you show me in slow motion that it's a regular tackle,” said Wenger. “Show me why, then I am ready to accept it. But it wasn't.

“There is a difference between commitment and aggression. I like commitment, I have nothing against teams playing against us with commitment.”

The manager was then asked if he would instruct any of his defenders to rough up Lionel Messi, Barca's key man, on Wednesday night.

“No. No. No,” Wenger replied sternly. “If you find a player that I told has to kick somebody off the pitch in my last 25 or 30 years in this job, then you introduce him to me. Bring him back to me.

"It would be stupid if one of my players badly fouled Messi because they would be sent off.

"If a player goes over the top, you have the referee to make the rules. That's why they are on the pitch."

Cesc Fabregas fears he may have broken his leg.

The Arsenal captain is unclear precisely when he picked up the problem but it may well have been BEFORE he stroked home the dramatic 84th-minute penalty that drew his side level in Wednesday's glorious Champions League Quarter-Final first leg against Barcelona at Emirates Stadium.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck twice in the second half to give the visitors a deserved lead. But the introduction of Theo Walcott made the difference. His goal gave Arsenal a lifeline two minutes after coming on. Just before the end, Carlos Puyol fouled Fabregas and the midfielder scored from the spot.

"I took the penalty quite strongly but after, when I went to get the ball, I could not walk anymore," he said. "I don't know if I did it then or when I was fouled.

"It is the fibula. I think I put my leg between Puyol's when I was fouled and kicked it.

"I fear the worst, which is that I have broken something. But we have to wait. The scans will tell us if it is something or nothing.

"I do not think it is going to be good news but still I hope there will be."

* Arsenal.com hope to have a full injury update later on Thursday.

Cesc Fabregas feels the yellow card he received during Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Barcelona was "very unfair".

The Arsenal captain was booked shortly before half-time for a challenge on Sergio Busquets, despite appearing to win the ball.

The caution rules Fabregas out of next week's second leg, though the midfielder accepts he may not be able to take part at the Nou Camp anyway.

"It [the booking] was very unfair," he said after the match. "I thought I won the ball very well.

"I sprinted 50 yards for a yellow card. That was not really nice. But I could not play anyway now because of the injury."

Denilson has backed Samir Nasri to fill Cesc Fabregas' boots against Barcelona next week.

The Arsenal captain will miss the second leg of the Champions League Quarter-Final due to suspension after collecting a yellow card in Wednesday night's first leg at Emirates Stadium. Of course, the injury he suffered after scoring the equaliser would probably have ruled him out anyway.

Denilson admits that Fabregas’ absence is a blow for Arsenal but he is confident that Nasri can help the Gunners progress to the Semi-Finals.

"We are sad now because Cesc will not play [the second leg]," the Brazilian told reporters after the match.

"But I think Samir can come in and help us. It is important to go there and to win."

The Brazilian admitted that Arsenal were not the better side in the first half but says going two goals down gave the side the chance to show how strong their spirit is.

"In the first half they played better than us," he admitted.

"It was a great opportunity to show [our spirit]. We started badly but in the second half we played well and we have one more game to go."