Bergkamp ruled out for Gunners
Striker Dennis Bergkamp has been ruled out of Arsenal’s New Year’s Day trip to Charlton after failing a fitness test on a thigh injury.
Bergkamp missed the midweek game at Newcastle and has failed to recover in time for tomorrow’s game at The Valley, with Robin van Persie hoping to continue alongside Thierry Henry in attack.
Lauren faces a fitness test before kick-off after sustaining a knee injury at St James’ Park, although Arsene Wenger was last night hopeful that “he should be okay”.
Justin Hoyte is nevertheless on standby, while Mathieu Flamini has also emerged as a serious doubt with a thigh injury and Cesc Fabregas is likely to partner Patrick Vieira in central midfield.
Jose Antonio Reyes is still sidelined with a knee injury and is not expected to return before the FA Cup tie with Stoke on January 9, while Gilberto (back), Edu (broken toe) and Pascal Cygan (back) are also still out.
Provisional squad (from): Almunia, Lehmann, Lauren, Hoyte, Cole, Clichy, Campbell, Toure, Senderos, Vieira, Fabregas, Flamini, Pires, Ljungberg, Pennant, van Persie, Henry.
