Striker Robin van Persie and defender Laurent Koscielny will both sit out Arsenal's midweek Premier League match with Stoke.
Arsene Wenger was expected to ring the changes after seeing his side stumble to a draw at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup on Sunday, and the duo were both expected to figure in a game that Arsenal must win to keep up the pressure on Manchester United at the top of the table.
However, the Dutchman's hamstring issue and the Frenchman's back problem are not deemed likely to rule them out of Sunday's League Cup final against Birmingham, and both are expected to be fully fit for the second leg of their Champions League tie with Barcelona.
Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "We don't have Van Persie, Diaby and Koscielny available. Everybody else is fit.
"Diaby is suspended. Van Persie has a hamstring problem and Koscielny a back problem. Both are short-term and they have a chance for the game on Sunday."
Meanwhile for Stoke, boss Tony Pulis will not be able to call upon winger Matthew Etherington, who has succumbed to a back injury, but should recall former Arsenal target Asmir Begovic to the starting line-up after resting him in the FA Cup win over Brighton at the weekend.
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