Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Andrei Arshavin's ineligibility for the FA Cup is good for the new signing.

"It is a good thing for him yes," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "I was a little bit handcuffed against Tottenham because we were down to 10 men and if we had sustained an injury then you couldn't bring on a player who lacks fitness when you are down to 10 men.

"In between, he will now have two weeks before the next game and hopefully will be fully fit for Sunderland [on Saturday 21st February]."