Arsenal v Chelsea
Friday, 27 November 2009 15:11Arsenal defender William Gallas is rated as only 50/50 because of an eye problem for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with leaders Chelsea at Emirates Stadium, but full-back Kieran Gibbs is out following an operation on his foot.
Veteran Mikael Silvestre is on stand-by to fill in at centre-half, while Armand Traore should fill in on the left following Gibbs' injury.
Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin will be available despite needing staples in a wound after a clash of heads with Gallas against Standard Liege on Tuesday night, but strikers Robin van Persie (ankle) and Nicklas Bendtner (groin) remain sidelined so England forward Theo Walcott could make only a second start of an injury-hit season.
Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (knee) is close to a comeback, but Abou Diaby (calf), Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee) are still out.
Chelsea have been boosted by a fully fit Frank Lampard ahead of their clash with Arsenal.
Lampard has recovered from a thigh injury sustained on England duty but despite flying to Serbia for placenta treatment, Chelsea have confirmed the midfielder only underwent standard massage therapy.
Jose Bosingwa (knee) remains sidelined for the Blues but Michael Essien has shaken off a knee injury to be included in the squad.
Arsenal squad: Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Traore, Song, Denilson, Fabregas, Nasri, Arshavin, Walcott, Mannone, Eduardo, Eboue, Vela, Senderos, Wilshere, Silvestre, Ramsey, Rosicky.
Chelsea squad: Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Ivanovic, A Cole, Zhirkov, Carvalho, Terry, Alex, Essien, Lampard, Belletti, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Kakuta, Deco, J Cole, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba.
Paddy Power betting: Arsenal v Chelsea
13/8 Arsenal win
9/4 Draw
17/10 Chelsea win
6/1 Drogba 1st goal
8/1 Arshavin 1st goal - best price!
