Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal pair Abou Diaby and Nicklas Bendtner will return to first team action in two weeks. The French international is currently sidelined with a troublesome calf injury sustained against Wolves while his Danish teammate is recovering from surgery on a groin problem which forced him off in the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at the end of October.
Speaking about the duo, Wenger told Arsenal TV Online:
"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."
A more pressing worry for Arsenal is the current state of William Gallas who has been labeled a ‘big question mark’ ahead of Sunday’s match with Chelsea. The centre-back clashed heads with Russian international Andrey Arshavin in the Gunners 2-0 Champions League victory over Standard Liege and still has considerable swelling.
“There is a big question mark about him at the moment," said Wenger. "Today 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. It is Thursday today and we play on Sunday afternoon so, we are confident he can make it. Arshavin is OK. He was shocked but he is OK."