Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger provided a short, but important update on the reason behind the absence of William Gallas, Alex Song, Andrey Arshavin and Manuel Almunia for tonight’s Champions League game away at Porto.

With Carlos Vela back in the squad, the Frenchman was forced to drop five key players, including Croatian striker Eduardo.

Speaking on Tuesday, Wenger said:

William Gallas has a calf injury. Alex Song has a knee injury. Andrey Arshavin has a hamstring injury.

Manuel Almunia has a finger injury, and the hand is quite useful for goalkeepers. He had already a twisted finger and he made it worse and I didn’t want to take a gamble on it. Eduardo has a recurrence of his hamstring injury.