Arsenal play host to champions-elect Chelsea this weekend in a decisive fixture that has mammoth potential to keep the Gunners in contention for the Premier League title and it now seems that Arsene Wenger may have to name his team without his captain and vice-captain.

The Frenchman stated that he would have everyone but Per Mertesacker at his disposal against the Blues and added that his January recruit Gabriel Paulista would most likely start alongside Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the defense at Emirates Stadium this weekend.

“Last week against Reading we had Mertesacker injured. He has been in the treatment room. I don’t know if he will be available or not. Apart from him everybody else should be available. Gabriel is ready yes. He came on last week and I think if Per is not ready then Gabriel will start.”

Arsenal also have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta on the sidelines with either player trying to regain fitness and the 64-year-old manager stated that the English international would not be considered for he had not seen him in the training grounds as of late.

He also added that Mikel Arteta, despite gaining fitness, would not be deployed against the Stamford Bridge club for the Chelsea game would be demanding for someone, who has not played a professional game in a long time.

“He’s still out and I don’t think he’s been in training. He’s not considered at all. Mikel Arteta is getting closer. He’s back in full training. He’s still a bit short, physically, to go into a game of that intensity against Chelsea.”

Registering a win over the local rivals would cut down the difference between the London outfits to seven points and accordingly, Arsenal lifting the Premier League title would become even more mathematically possible.