However, they still have a perfect record at home in the Premiership with seven victories and need to recover from their back-to-back away league setbacks against Bolton and Newcastle.

Midfielder Gilberto is suspended for Sunday’s game due to his dismissal at St James’ Park last weekend, while Ashley Cole, Gael Clichy and Pascal Cygan are still ruled out through injury.

However, Wenger is confident Bergkamp will return after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury, while he is also hoping Reyes can recover from a thigh problem.

“There is a question mark over the fitness of Reyes. We should get Dennis Bergkamp back but we hope Reyes too,” the Arsenal boss revealed.

Bergkamp added: “The injury is good. I have been training for a few days now, since the end of last week.

“The Newcastle game came a bit too soon but I am in full training and, if I don’t get any reaction, then I should be okay for the next game.”

With Cygan still out with a groin problem, Lauren is expected to continue at left-back, with Kolo Toure covering the right-back spot.

Ivory Coast international Toure told the club’s website, www.arsenal.com: “This Chelsea game comes at a good time for us.

“We have the chance to show to our fans that we are still the Gunners and we are still one of the big clubs in England.

“I am really happy that this match is so soon after the games we lost against Bolton and Newcastle. We need to show how strong we are, give our best and show some pride as well.”