Volz is main man for Arsenal

Arsenal have called up teenager Moritz Volz for the Champions League clash with Roma as their defensive crisis deepens.

The 19-year-old German was a last-minute addition to the squad for the game in the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow night as doubts arose over the fitness of Ukrainian Oleg Luzhny.

Luzhny has a hamstring injury and was unable to train yesterday. Arsenal are already without Cameroon full-back Lauren, who has an ankle injury, and the versatile Kolo Toure, who is suspended following his sending off against PSV Eindhoven.

As a result, manager Arsene Wenger will be forced to turn to Volz, who started last night's reserve game with Watford but was withdrawn as a precaution at half-time in the 1-1 draw. His only first-team experience has been in the Worthington Cup.

But there was some comfort for Wenger from the game - the return of Martin Keown, who has been out for two months after picking up a hamstring injury while on Champions League duty in Holland.

Keown almost missed his comeback match after waking up with a neck injury but was determined to test out the hamstring problem that has sidelined him since September.

He came through with no ill-effects and believes he may be fit to solve another problem for Wenger when his side visits Old Trafford to play Manchester United in the Premiership on 7 December.

Sol Campbell is suspended for that match after his red card against Southampton last Saturday but Keown feels he could step in.

"I woke up with a neck problem yesterday and nearly didn't play but I was determined to get on with it," said Keown. "There were no problems with the hamstring. I felt good. I had done a lot of preparation work and obviously now I need games.

"It was a bit restricting against Watford because of the neck problem but at least the hamstring is fine and the legs feel good. I have got to prove between now and the game at Old Trafford that I am ready to play there.

"I was back in training today doing some more proper work and if I can shake off this neck injury I will be happy.

"Hopefully, in a couple of days I will be fine. It was a real blow to have the neck trouble after eight weeks out but I wasn't going to let that stop me. But I feel fairly sharp and it was a proper game.

"The Manchester United game is a definite possibility, without doubt. I am hungry for it and I am up for it. I just need things to go my way for a change.

"I didn't manage the injury very well. I came back and within two weeks I was running and then I pulled it again. Within four weeks I had set myself back a second time. This time round I did nothing except work on the hamstring for a couple of weeks and I spent the last week running. I just wasn't patient enough and paid the penalty.

"Thankfully, I didn't feel it at all during the 70 minutes I played against Watford, so that is a big plus."

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