Arsenal will today face FC Cologne in their third pre-season friendly game with manager Arsene Wenger confirming that new signing Gervinho is in the squad.

Speaking to the Club’s official website, the Frenchman explained that captain Cesc Fabregas is yet to recover from a muscular injury and will not be involved. Also out injured are defender Emmanuel Eboue and unsettled striker Nicklas Bendtner, who according to the manager is in talks with other clubs over his future.

Asked about midfielder Abou Diaby, the Arsenal boss declared that the 25-year old will miss the first part of the season after suffering a long-term injury that will keep him on the sidelines for at least a month.

In their first two friendly games of the summer, the Gunners eased past the Malaysia All-Stars XI on Wednesday, July 13 but could only manage a draw against Hangzhou Greentown last week with Mexico’s Carlos Vela scoring in both games.

Ahead of today’s game, Wenger said:

[Cesc Fabregas] has not completely recovered from his muscular injury. It is too early for him, he is not ready.
 Gervinho is with us. Fabianski is back. Eboue is injured and is behind and Bendtner who is on a possible move is behind.


Diaby is out longer term so that is why I do not speak about him. We do not count Diaby for August. He will miss the start of the season for sure.

We will work on fitness a lot in Germany and after that we will go to phase two with the Emirates Cup.

They are a good side with some valuable players, like [Lukas] Podolski who plays for Germany. There is always a good atmosphere in Cologne, they have a big stadium and it is a big football club.