Arsenal injury trio, Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna, face a race against time to be fit for the Gunners' biggest week of the season so far today as it engages Manchester United at the Emirate stadium.

The three players picked up injuries in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Stoke that left Arsene Wenger's side six points behind Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. But Wenger is boasting that owing to its defeat at the Britania Stadium, it can't afford to lose today's game as it is ready to unleash its virile players on the Red Devils.

Sagna, Adebayor and Walcott are all struggling to be fit to face United but are not long-term concerns.

But the Gunners hopes for a possible recovery of the players for the weekend League visit of Manchester United.

The champions moved one point above Arsenal with a 4-3 win over Hull and has a game in hand, meaning the Gunners can ill afford to lose any more ground and boss Arsene Wenger knows that his side musn't slip up against United.

Wenger said: "I don't know how many more defeats we can afford. It's very difficult to say.

"We have a chance to win when we play Manchester United today.

"There is no better game in which to come back from a defeat and from a confidence point of view. It will also give us a chance to show we have quality.

"Is it a game we can't afford to lose? What manager would tell you they can afford to lose a game? You can never afford to lose but we just want to win."

Robin van Persie further compounded a miserable last weekend for the Gunners by receiving a straight red card for a petulant challenge on Thomas Sorensen.

The Stoke goalkeeper felt it was borne out of frustration and emphasised why Arsenal will not win the title.

Sorenson said: "With the way the other teams are playing, it's going to be really hard for Arsenal now.

"It has shown in the past that it is a fantastic football side, but it is just lacking that bit of physicality.

"When Chelsea came here, it matched us in the challenges, whereas Arsenal wasn't quite there. That's the difference. Arsenal lacks that bit of spine that you need.

"It wants to play all the time, but sometimes you have to work hard and earn the opportunity to play your very best football.

"I've played against Arsenal a lot of times and I expected much more of them, especially in the second half.

"They have excellent players, but they didn't actually find the fifth gear they normally do and, once we got the second goal, it felt like we were cruising because they totally lost belief.

"I think they expected a bit of an easier ride, but no one's going to get that coming here."

Van Persie will be available against United today lunchtime, as it is understood the club will not appeal against referee Rob Styles's decision.

Adebayor is especially unlikely to be risked even if today's prognosis is positive and with Van Persie suspended and Eduardo still recovering from a broken leg, Arsenal has only one fit recognised striker available in Nicklas Bendtner.

Walcott damaged the same shoulder he underwent an operation on in October 2007 which was designed to cure a hereditary condition that means he has weak ligaments in his arm.

He was stretchered off after landing awkwardly on his shoulder in a challenge that led to a booking for Rory Delap, but the Stoke midfielder is hopeful that the England forward will not face lengthy lay-off.

Delap said: "Theo's a good lad and there were no hard feelings. I'm just glad the injury isn't as bad as it first looked."

For a defeated manager, it is a lonely walk from the away dugout to the tunnel at Stoke, accompanied every step of the way by the sound of Ken Dodd, singing Happiness.

Martin O'Neill, Juande Ramos and Roy Keane have made the journey this season, all victims of the Barclays Premier League scourge known as Rory Delap. Last Saturday, it was Wenger's turn.

Unlike Ramos, a pitiful display against Stoke will not cost the Frenchman his job. But it might spell the end of his title hopes, following a third unexpected defeat of the season.