Wenger waiting on Gallas

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits William Gallas is a major doubt for this weekend's clash with Chelsea

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits William Gallas is a major doubt for this weekend's clash with Chelsea. The Frenchman is struggling with an eye injury following a clash of heads with team-mate Andrey Arshavin during the Champions League victory over Standard Liege on Tuesday night.

He also has an ankle problem, but Wenger insists the eye injury is giving him the biggest worry ahead of Sunday's showdown with league leaders Chelsea.

"There is a big question mark about him at the moment," said Wenger. "I cannot say that William Gallas will play, unfortunately. The ankle should be alright but the eye is still very, very, very swollen.

"He wears contact lenses and at the moment he would not get them in. We hope on Sunday it will be better. He is not comfortable but I am optimistic because we still have three days."

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Arshavin, who suffered a cut head in the challenge with Gallas, is expected to be fit to face the Blues.

"Arshavin was shocked but he is OK," added Wenger.

Arsenal will be missing Kieran Gibbs, Gael Clichy, Johan Djourou, Abou Diaby and Nicklas Bendtner for the visit of Chelsea with Diaby and Bendtner set to be the first of the injured players to return to action in two weeks.

"Apart from Gibbs no-one is out or in from Tuesday," noted Wenger. "Everybody else should be normally available.

"Diaby and Bendtner will be the first to come back. They will be out for the same time now.

"I think it will take another two weeks for both of them to be back in full training."