Gunners keep an eye on Gallas

Arsenal 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.

Team (from): Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Traore, Song, Denilson, Fabregas, Nasri, Arshavin, Walcott, Mannone, Eduardo, Eboue, Vela, Senderos, Wilshere, Silvestre, Ramsey, Rosicky.