Arsenal's Key Players for the Remainder of the Premier League Season

Arsenal survived a first half battering from Barcelona and came back brilliantly to salvage a 2-2 draw in the Champions League that gives the team hope in the return leg.

But the second half comeback came at a huge and significant cost.

Captain Cesc Fabregas has been ruled of for the rest of the season after suffering a crack in his fibula when bundled over by Carles Puyol.

Fabregas converted the resulting penalty but was clearly struggling with his injury.

William Gallas also suffered a recurrence of his calf injury that had kept him out of the last eight games.

Andrey Arshavin had to be substituted before the half-hour mark with a calf strain. Reports claimed the Russian playmaker may miss the rest of the season along with Fabregas and Gallas but manager Arsene Wenger is confident he should be fit for the clash with Manchester City on April 24.

Gael Clichy also picked up a knock and will start the game against Wolves on the bench but should be fit to play at the Nou Camp next week.

In the absence of those three influential players, several members of the first team squad will have to prove their worth in the club's push for honours.

Samir Nasri

Frenchman Nasri is expected to take up Fabregas's role in the centre of midfield in the remaining fixtures. When called upon in the past, Nasri has played the role admirably.

His creativity, vision and eye for goal make this position better suited to Nasri's game ahead of the wide positions he usually adopts.

Although he has dropped to the bench for the match against Wolves, I think Wenger has rested Nasri with the trip to Barcelona in mind.

Sol Campbell

The veteran center-back will step into position alongside Thomas Vermaelen.

Since his return to the club, Campbell has shown tremendous professionalism and character.

Despite clearly losing some of the pace seen in his last period at the club, Campbell makes up for that with experience and the ability to read the game.

He has shown he still has the appetite for the big matches and the top league.

Emmanuel Eboue

The Ivorian will be a key player in the coming weeks for his ability to perform in a number of positions.

Eboue was booed from the pitch by the Emirates crowd last season vs Wigan when substituted, having already come on as a first half replacement himself.

Since then, Eboue's performances have been confident, passionate, and driven. He has to be commended for this.

I thought Eboue may have been asked to fill in at left back in Clichy's absence but Mikael Silvestre has been entrusted in that role. Nonetheless, Eboue's versatility will be important and he starts on the wing against Wolves.

Nicklas Bendtner

The big Dane has shown the potential he has to be a top striker. Since returning from injury, he has given Arsenal another option up front with his ability to hold up the ball and bring his teammates into the game.

Bendtner scored a hat trick in the Champions League against Porto and also scored the important last-minute winner at Hull.

Bendtner's goals could prove decisive.

Theo Walcott

The young Englishmen showed what he is capable of against Barcelona with the goal that got Arsenal back into the game.

Arsenal fans have been crying out for Walcott to demonstrate his blistering pace and run in behind defenders.

Walcott must build on the confidence that his performance against Barcelona will bring.

Manuel Almunia

Almunia took the blame for the costly late goal conceded at Birmingham and was at fault for Zlatan Ibrahimovic's opener at the Emirates in midweek.

But against Barcelona, Almunia pulled off a number of brilliant saves to keep the scores level in the first half.

Expected to be captain in Fabregas' absence, Almunia will have to lead from the back. His ability to communicate effectively with his defenders will be key.