Arsenal will again be without Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) for the trip to Chelsea on Sunday.
Midfielder Abou Diaby (calf) also remains sidelined, although new England call-up Theo Walcott is pressing for a place in the starting XI.
Johan Djourou (groin) continued building his match fitness with the reserves in midweek and Eduardo is out for the remainder of the campaign with a broken leg.
Petr Cech's fitness is the only major problem facing Chelsea coach Avram Grant.
Cech's ankle injury forced him to miss their 4-4 draw with Tottenham on Wednesday night. If he fails to pass a fitness test, Carlo Cudicini will continue to deputise.
Grant could also recall Nicolas Anelka along with Michael Ballack and Mikel John Obi for the vital game against the Gunners.
Squads:
Chelsea: Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Carvalho, Alex, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Obi, Lampard, Shevchenko, Pizarro, Sidwell, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka, Kalou, Makelele.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, van Persie, Adebayor, Lehmann, Walcott, Song, J Hoyte, Senderos, Gilberto, Denilson, Bendtner