Van Persie won't be intimidated

Fenerbahce v Arsenal team news:Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has urged his team-mates to ignore the hostile atmosphere in Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu stadium and do a professional job in tomorrow's Champions League encounter.

Visiting teams can never expect an easy ride when they travel to Istanbul and Fenerbahce, one of the city's three major clubs, will present difficulties despite currently being bottom of Group G.

Having lost away to Porto and been held to a goalless draw at home to Dynamo Kiev the Turkish side know the visit of Arsenal represents the opportunity to get their campaign back on track.

And Van Persie, who unlike most of his team-mates has experience of playing at Fenerbahce for Feyenoord, accepts the Gunners will have to combat the crowd as well as their opponents.

"It will be really tough. I experienced it a few years ago and the fans there are amazing," said the Dutchman, who scored his sixth goal of the season in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Everton. "It was really aggressive, but that is their style. You have to deal with the atmosphere. It is not nice but I think if you play for Arsenal you have to adapt and just play your game.

"It will be a good test for us and I will enjoy the game."

Manager Arsene Wenger knows their task will be made easier if they can silence the home crowd and has called on his team to show their character and play their own game.

"I have been involved in many games in Turkey. What is important is that you always have on the pitch the potential to quieten the supporters," said the Frenchman, who celebrates his 59th birthday on Wednesday.

"That is down to how well you play and how much personality you show, and this is down to us — so I do not think it will be a problem."

Wenger has major injury problems in defence after Kolo Toure was ruled out after twisting shoulder ligaments at the weekend.

Captain William Gallas (hamstring) and Bacary Sagna (knee) are carrying injuries sustained on international duty last week and are also unavailable after missing the match against the Toffees.

However, midfielder Samir Nasir has shaken off a knock picked up against the Merseysiders and Nicklas Bendtner (ankle) and Johan Djourou (head) both return after being absent at the weekend.

"We have Nicklas Bendtner back in the squad and Johan Djourou is available again," said Wenger. "But we don't have Kolo Toure. Gallas and Sagna are out but they are not long-term and could be back in the squad for Sunday (against West Ham)."

Luis Aragones, meanwhile, said he was likely to play five in midfield with Spain striker Daniel Guiza up front on his own and Semih Senturk — scorer of Saturday's last-minute winner — in a supporting role.

"Semih is a goalscorer but I always think Semih plays better when he comes from midfield," said the 70-year-old coach.

"And Guiza plays better when he is closer to goal. In practical terms they are both forwards and goalscorers but I think you get the best from Semih when he plays a supporting role."