Arsenal will be without William Gallas, Bacary Sagna and Nicklas Bendtner over the next week after all three sustained injuries while on international duty. Manager Arsene Wenger admitted his side had suffered "heavy losses" with further concerns over three other players.
Gallas (hamstring), Sagna (knee) and Bendtner (ankle) will all miss this weekend's Barclays Premier League clash with Everton and next Tuesday's Champions League trip to Fenerbahce.
Cesc Fabregas (broken nose), Robin van Persie (muscular) and Johan Djourou (concussion) also suffered knocks but Wenger is hopeful they should be able to feature. Abou Diaby will also be included in the squad for the first time this season this weekend after overcoming a thigh problem.
Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "Unfortunately we have lost some players over the 10 days - William Gallas, Bacary Sagna and Nicklas Bendtner. These are heavy losses and we have to compensate them.
"Fortunately the three of them don't look to be out for a long, long time but they will be out for the weekend game and I think the game on Tuesday. "As well as them, Djourou got concussion during his game with Switzerland and will be assessed tomorrow to see if he is available. He does not look too bad and he could have a good chance to play.
"I am still waiting for Robin to come back so I don't know about him. However, he should be okay. "He went with a muscle problem but he came on after 56 minutes last night and, from the reports I got, he should be all right. Both of them will be assessed.
"Also I am told Cesc has a broken nose. It should not stop him playing. He is here now and is being assessed." One way the losses will be compensated for will be in the return of Frenchman Diaby.
"At least Abou Diaby is back in the squad again," Wenger said. "Even though he has not played games he will be used, at the least in the squad, because we have lost those three players."
