Duo ruled out for Gunners Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny will miss Arsenal's Barclays Premier League match with Stoke on Wednesday after picking up hamstring and back injuries respectively. Manager Arsene Wenger described the injuries as "short-term" and hopes the key duo will be fit for Sunday's Carling Cup final against Birmingham. Johan Djourou missed the FA Cup draw with Leyton Orient with a back problem but is now fully fit and will start at the Emirates Stadium. Abou Diaby is suspended and long-term absentees Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) remain sidelined. Wenger's side beat Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium last week but were brought swiftly down to earth against League One side Orient on Sunday. Nevertheless, the Gunners know that a return to winning ways against Stoke will see them close the gap on leaders Manchester United to just one point in the first match in a gruelling schedule which could see them play six times in 17 days. Arsenal have lost three times at home this year - more than any other team in the top six - and Wenger thinks their form at the Emirates could prove decisive in their push to win their first title in seven years.
