Arsene Wenger has revealed that Thomas Eisfeld, Emmanuel Frimpong, Gedion Zelalem and Mathieu Flamini will all miss Tuesday’s Capital One Cup clash with Chelsea and cast doubt over Serge Gnabry’s participation.

Speaking to Arsenal Player on Monday the boss gave a run down on the fitness of his squad:

“Zelalem is not yet available. He had a knee problem. He is back in full training but he has not played yet. He will play 45 minutes with the under-18 team later this week.

“Serge Gnabry has a problem, he got a kick on the ankle. He will be assessed tomorrow. After that we will decide who plays and who doesn’t play. I will decide [on Tuesday]. Eisfeld has a back problem.

“Frimpong is still short of competition. Isaac Hayden will be involved, Ryo and Gnabry if he’s fit.”

Confirming that he won’t appeal Arteta’s red card, the boss also touched on Mathieu Flamini’s latest problem. Having sustained concussion against Norwich the Frenchman lasted only seven minutes at Selhurst Park before picking up a groin problem.

“He has a scan today and then we will get the results as to how long he will be out. It doesn’t look like a bad muscle injury but honestly it’s too early to give you a precise answer. It’s a groin injury.”

With five midfielders out, seven if you include Abou Diaby and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, numbers are thin on the ground in the centre of the park suggesting Arsene will have no choice but to field a relatively strong line-up tomorrow evening despite a hectic schedule which takes in games against Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United in the next two weeks.

Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey could all be involved at some point after training today, while Nicklas Bendtner, Thomas Vermaelen, Lukasz Fabianski are expected to start.