EMMANUEL Adebayor will return to the Arsenal starting XI for the first leg of their Champions' League match against Liverpool on Wednesday.

The Gunners leading striker was benched for the trip to Bolton on Saturday, but is likely to step in for Niklas Bendtner.

The 24-year-old Togo forward has suffered a recent dip in form and will be eager to get back in the goals as the outcome of Arsenal's season hinges on the next three games against the Reds.

Adebayor, who has 19 goals in the Premier League this season, came off the bench to replace Bendtner after an hour at the Reebok.

Explaining his decision to leave Adebayor out, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "I had one striker who needed games, Robin van Persie, and one who needed to be rested.

"Adebayor looked a bit jaded recently and he played a game in midweek. I knew I could not rest him at all in the next three games. He is important to me."