Stakes are high as neither team can afford a second Premiership defeat so early in the campaign. Arsene Wenger has decided not to plunge new £1 million Latvia centre-back Igors Stepanovs straight into the fray even though skipper Adams is out. Either Oleg Luzhny or Gilles Grimandi will partner Keown at the back.

Stepanovs is not even in the squad while £13 million striker Sylvain Wiltord's hopes of a debut will only be fulfilled if he comes on as a substitute. With Dennis Bergkamp set to return as Henry's partner up front, Kanu may also be only a substitute.

Chelsea will again be without first choice goalkeeper Ed de Goey, who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in the warm-up against Aston Villa. However, Dennis Wise has shaken off the knock picked up against France on Saturday and Albert Ferrer and new signing Winston Bogarde are also in the squad.