Arsenal will be without defender Kieran Gibbs for at least three months due to a broken metatarsal.

GettyImagesKieran Gibbs will be out for at least three months

Gibbs damaged his foot following a challenge from Standard Liege defender Eliaquim Mangala during the Gunners' 2-0 Champions League victory on Tuesday. He had been deputising for Gael Clichy, who is currently sidelined with a stress fracture to his back.

Arsene Wenger said: "Kieran had surgery this morning and the surgeon gave us a good report that he did not need any metal in his foot. The first metatarsal is broken, which is very rare. He will be out for at least three months."

Armand Traore, who spent last season on loan at Portsmouth, appears set to start at left-back for Sunday's match against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium, although Mikael Silvestre offers a more experienced option. William Gallas is another injury doubt for the weekend as his eye remains swollen, meaning Philippe Senderos could partner Thomas Vermaelen in the centre.

Wenger is also contending with problems in attack with Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner both sidelined and Eduardo and Carlos Vela failing to make a significant impression in their absence. That could mean a chance for Theo Walcott against Chelsea, although Wenger is reluctant to use the player too soon.

"The only thing I would say with Theo is that every time I have rushed him back he has got injured again," he said. "This time, I have decided to take the time to get him completely 100% fit to come back.

"Theo can play central. I am very conscious of that because of the quality of his runs and the timing of his runs. The other part he can work on. I believe he has all the assets to be a fantastic central player. What he needs to work on to play in this kind of position is the back to goal.

"At the moment his strengths are central to the counter-attacking role rather than the distribution role. That is what he has to add to his game."

Wenger remains fully focused on his own selection issues and his team's performance on Sunday despite recognising the quality of the visitors.

"You know they are a good side and, to beat them, you have to deliver a good performance," he said. "It is more important we focus on what we do than any strength or weakness of Chelsea.

"They are a strong side and have a good manager in Carlo Ancelotti, but I still believe that despite all that, we can still beat them. Let us expect them to be strong on the day, and then let us be stronger."