Stoke 0-0 Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil expected to return for Chelsea

Arsenal could have both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil back for the visit of Premier League champions Chelsea. Sanchez has not played since November due a hamstring injury while Ozil missed the goalless draw with Stoke City due to a foot problem.

The Gunners returned to the Premier League summit after being held by Mark Hughes' side and they missed the creativity of the pair. Olivier Giroud was twice denied by Jack Butland but Petr Cech kept the visitors level with saves from Marko Arnautovic and Joselu.

The result leaves Arsenal with only one win in eight league visits to the Britannia Stadium but Wenger was impressed by the character shown by his side. "Spirit wise this team is fantastic," the Frenchman told Sky Sports. "With players away we came away with a result but it is still a positive result.

He added: "I am pleased with the spirit we have shown today and I think we had two very physical games in four days away from home. Stoke surprised us with a very direct game and made it very physical from the start and we had to fight."

On the injury front, Arsenal currently have a host of players out but both Sanchez and Ozil are expected to return in time to place Chelsea. Wenger is also hopeful his other injured players, which include Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck, are close to resuming their careers.

"I hope Ozil and Sanchez [will be back for Chelsea]," the Arsenal boss added. "I believe that next week we will have some players back and slowly some other players are one or two weeks away so in a few months we should have a big part of our injured players back.

"There is no team in the world that does not miss Mesut Ozil and that is of course used to having him there and giving the final ball but I must say give without Mesut it wouldn't have been a very different game."