Arsenal face Chelsea without Fabregas

Arsenal face Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday without their captain, Cesc Fabregas, and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

World Cup winner Fabregas is recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained almost two weeks ago and is not rated fit enough to take part.

The 23-year-old midfielder is also sidelined for Spain’s upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland.

Almunia also remains sidelined after missing the midweek Champions League win at Partizan Belgrade with an elbow injury, meaning Lukasz Fabianski is again set to deputise.

Manager Arsene Wenger also confirmed on Friday that left-back Kieran Gibbs will be out for two to three weeks with a calf injury.

Wenger confirmed: “Fabregas is not fit to play in this one and nor is Almunia.

“We lost Gibbs as well on Tuesday night with a calf problem…he is out for two to three weeks.”

Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Nicklas Bendtner (groin), Aaron Ramsey (leg), Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie (both ankle) are still out, but Abou Diaby returns to the squad after an ankle problem.