Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hopes Robin van Persie can kickstart his season in the Carling Cup with Wigan Athletic.
Van Persie's progress has frustrated manager Arsene Wenger, who was angry the player linked up with Holland for a friendly against Turkey after returning as a sub against Newcastle on November 7.
The striker's only other appearance came against Spurs because Wenger refused to include Van Persie in the Champions League trip to Braga a week ago on the grounds that he was not sharp enough.
Van Persie is likely to replace the rested Marouane Chamakh.
Wenger said: "Robin will certainly play, yes. But I haven't decided my starting line-up yet.
"In my squad the 25 players are the same level or all nearly on the same level. So it's just the form of the day, the sharpness and the fatigue factor that influences my decision.
"The only thing I can promise is we will take the game seriously. But I have to consider as well our programme, how many games the players play."
