Odds against Viera gambling on United match

Odds against Viera gambling on United match

HIGHBURY, London, Oct 19 -- Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira looks odds on not to gamble on playing in the Gunners’ trip to Manchester United as well as the Group D UEFA Champions League match with Panathinaikos.

The French midfield star twisted his ankle in Saturday's 3-1 win over Aston Villa and will definitely miss Wednesday’s Champions League game against Panathinaikos. Arsene Wenger, Arsenal’s manager, says Vieira has only an 80 percent chance of being fit for the Gunners' crucial football match with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United on Sunday, and doesn’t want to risk the injury getting worse by playing him unfit.

"Patrick had a scan and it looks much better than expected but it still looks like he will be short for Sunday," Gunners Wenger explained. "He is not definitely out but I would rule him as having only an 80% chance of playing."

In the unlikely event that Vieira risks playing, it will be his first time on the Old Trafford pitch since being sent off in September 2003 for aiming a kick at Ruud Van Nistlerooy.

Edu is likely to take Vieira's place to partner teenager Francesc Fabregas in central midfield.

But with Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva to miss both games with a back injury, Wenger's options will be limited. Gael Clichy (ankle) and Manuel Almunia (shin) are also injured, while Dennis Bergkamp did not make the trip due to his aversion to flying, meaning that Jose Reyes should move back up front. Alternatively, Freddie Ljungberg could make his return from a hamstring strain in time for the Champions League match.

Arsenal will be aiming to make it 50 League games unbeaten if they can avoid defeat at Old Trafford.

Latest betting: (Bet365):

·         Arsenal win 1.72/1; Panathinaikos win: 5/1; Draw: 3.4/1;

·         Manchester United win: Arsenal win 1.72/1; 2.62/1; Draw: 3.1/1.