Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that captain Cesc Fabregas has a 'little' chance of being fit for Sunday's meeting with Chelsea.

The Spain international has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

But Fabregas is closing in on a return to action after beginning work in training this week.

And Wenger is hopeful that the influential midfielder could be available for this weekend's key meeting with the table-toppers.

He told the club's official website: "Cesc has started to run so we have to monitor his progress in the week and there is a little hope there he will be available [for Sunday]."

However, Wenger stated that it is "impossible" that defender Thomas Vermaelen, who has been struggling with an Achilles problem, will feature at Stamford Bridge.