Arsene Wenger has admitted gambling on the fitness of striker Robin van Persie for this weekend's game against Chelsea would be "very risky".

Speaking after his side's 2-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League, the Frenchman began to turn his attention towards this Sunday's match at the Emirates Stadium between first and third place in the Premier League.

And although Van Persie - who has been out for two months through injury - played over an hour in last night's fixture, Wenger claimed he may not be willing to risk the player when the team are carrying so many injuries already.

"Van Persie is ready physically, but we have some other players who are injured like [Cesc] Fabregas, [Alex] Hleb and [Mathieu] Flamini," the manager told the club's official website.

"Though I will certainly have to take a gamble on one or two, but can I take a gamble on three or four? That would be very risky so I'll have to assess the situation in the next three or four days."

After his tireless shift up front in the Champions League group game, Van Persie claimed he is ready to play a part against the Blues but said he understood that he could not play a full 90 minutes.

"If the boss picks me I'm available," the Dutchman said.

"I'm not 100 per cent because you need games, you need rhythm. I can easily make 60 to 65 minutes but after two months [out] you can't make 90 minutes.

"I don't know, maybe next time 70 or 80 minutes, or even come on as a sub. I don't mind."
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