The availability of Abou Diaby, who has not featured for Arsenal since the club’s come-from-behind 4-2 win over Bolton Wanderers in mid-January due to a calf injury, remains ambiguous, with manager Arsene Wenger stating the imposing midfielder is currently a “maybe.”

The Gunners tussle with London rivals Chelsea on Sunday as they look to reassert themselves in the title race after Manchester United emerged with a convincing win at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti claimed earlier in the week that should Chelsea repeat a similar feat, then they will effectively kill the north Londoners’ title tilt, something that Wenger will undoubtedly be all too aware of.

Sol Campbell, bought on a free transfer in the winter window to provide cover for primary centre-back pair Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas, returns to the squad, while Croatian international striker Eduardo da Silva is out of action because of a hamstring problem.

Speaking to Arsenal TV Online, Wenger confirmed the inclusions and absentees: “Diaby is not yet back in normal training. He progresses very well but we will still have to wait until Saturday. He is a maybe.

“Campbell is back in squad, Eduardo is already ruled out.

“We still have Carlos Vela out too. Apart from that [there are no more changes from last Sunday]. Theo is back and available. Diaby is the question mark we have. All the others are longer term injuries.”

Long-term injury victims, creative forward Robin van Persie and towering defender Johan Djourou, remain on course to recovery following their respective ankle and knee issues.

“It is still two months for Johan,” Wenger added.

“We have to be patient with him. He is working well and progressing well. But he is not an immediate resource.

“For Robin, the rehabilitation is going well but anything before April would be a little bit premature.”