Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accepts Robin van Persie may well get the ‘green light’ to face Chelsea on Sunday, but is not about to take a big gamble with his team selection.
Holland striker Van Persie returned to action against Steaua Bucharest in midweek following almost two months out with a knee problem.
While the seven-goal forward looked sharp, the 24-year-old is the first to admit he is short of match fitness, completing just over an hour on Wednesday night.
With injury concerns over Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini and Alex Hleb, Wenger knows not to expect too much, too soon heading into the top-of-the-table showdown at Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal manager said: ‘At the moment, Robin does not have the green light medically.
‘Once he gets that, we have to test him on the pitch with the other players and then we can make a decision.’