The reigning champions have kept a remarkable eight clean sheets in 11 games, and their chances of securing another in North London have been boosted by the clarification that Ferdinand will be available for the trip to the capital.

"Reports in Tuesday's press claimed that the Reds defender has experienced a recurrence of an old groin injury and would miss the key Premier League clash," read a club statement.

"However, the influential 28-year-old centre-back trained with the rest of the squad at Carrington on Tuesday, and is considered fully fit and ready to play against The Gunners."