Wenger sweats on Flamini

Arsene Wenger has played down the extent of midfield dynamo Mathieu Flamini's injury that he picked up while playing for France A's team against Congo during mid-week.

"It is just a little tight spot behind the right thigh," Flamini said. "It is nothing serious, I hope I'll be ready for Blackburn."

Even if Flamini is fine, the scare is unlikely to have helped Wenger's often testy relationship with France coach Raymond Domenech, with whom he has clashed in the past over the timing of internationals.

Last week the Arsenal boss described this week's round of friendlies as "one you could do without," adding: "I think that if you did a poll of all the clubs involved in the Champions League I wouldn't be surprised if 100 per cent of them said let's get rid of it."