Arsenal fit to challenge - Eduardo

Eduardo maintains that when Arsenal have all of their players fighting fit again, the Gunners can force themselves into the top three of the Barclays Premier League.

The Brazil-born Croatia striker has just returned from a year out with a broken leg, but will miss Saturday's home game against Blackburn after suffering a minor groin problem during the dramatic Champions League penalty shootout win over Roma on Wednesday night.

"What is important is that we are defending well and the performances are coming," he told Arsenal TV Online.

The 25-year-old - who saw his opening spot-kick saved - is not the only first-team regular currently battling to be at their peak.

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is close to fully shaking off the hamstring problem which has sidelined him since early February and captain Cesc Fabregas is expected to be back in action by the start of next month following his rehabilitation from knee ligament damage.

England winger Theo Walcott is already playing again after four months out with an injured shoulder, while there is hope long-term absentee Czech international Tomas Rosicky could feature before the end of the season.

Arsenal have improved in recent weeks as they look to overhaul Aston Villa, whom they now trail by only three points, and also secure a Wembley date against Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

"There are a lot of great players coming back now - Walcott, Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Adebayor - and it will be okay," he added.

"I think we can be in the top three in the Premier League."