Vieira is ready to face Celta Vigo
LONDON, England -- Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has recovered from a knock to the knee and will play in the Champions League first leg match at Spanish side Celta Vigo on Tuesday.
Vieira took a blow to the joint in Saturday's Premiership victory over Chelsea but the French international midfielder passed a fitness test on Monday.
Manager Arsene Wenger said: "The swelling has gone down, so he will start the game." But Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva and defender Ashley Cole are out injured.
Ray Parlour and Sylvain Wiltord are already missing and Dennis Bergkamp will not travel to Spain, but Wenger is happy to draft in Edu to partner Vieira.
"Many people had written him off a few years ago but he's been getting better and better every year, and he's been outstanding this season," said Wenger.
With Bergkamp not making the trip, recent signing Jose Antonio Reyes is expected to start back on home soil.
"Jose has pace, movement and while he's still adapting to the English game, he can feel completely at home over there," said Wenger.
Arsenal have a poor record in Spain, with one draw - against Barcelona - and five defeats in six European games there under Wenger.
"I have never had an easy game against a Spanish team and I'd prefer to have played Celta Vigo two months ago as they looked really down and now seem like they are coming up again," Wenger said.
"We have a great confidence but it's a different type of football and it's direct knock-out. We have to stop Vigo playing because they are technically a good side.
"We have to avoid the kind of mistake which we made at the start against Chelsea, but knock-out football should suit us."
