Captain Cesc Fabregas insists that he will not risk further injury if he is not ready to return to first team action.
Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Monday to play against Manchester United in what must be a six pointer even in this early stage of the season.
The world champion has only just recovered from a hamstring injury, and has earlier in the season suffered recurrences against Sunderland and Braga this season.
Whilst hopeful that he will be able to lead his team out onto the Old Trafford pitch for such a crucial match, the Spaniard is adamant that he will not risk a recurrence of his hamstring injury.
Fabregas said: "I’d like to be fit for the Manchester United game but we’ll see.
"I’ll only be there if my hamstring is completely fine, because I don’t want to go up there and see it recur.
"With regard to my comeback we’ll have to wait a little longer before we know anything.
"I’ve been outside running for a couple of days now and it feels good – the sensations are OK but I haven’t gone at 100 per cent yet. For now we keep working."