Arsenal may be the leaders of the Premier League but the challenge is just beginning. Three members of their squad will soon be heading for the African Cup of Nations.

And while the manager, Arsène Wenger, does not depend on the Cameroon youngster Alexandre Song, he is bound to miss the Ivory Coast pair of Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure. The partnership of the latter with William Gallas in central defence has been one of the keys to success.

Gallas is adamant, however, that Arsenal have the resources to cope without Toure.

"Kolo is very important for the squad because he is very strong," said the Frenchman. "But we have good players and someone else will be able to play. We will miss Kolo but I can only say how much after a few weeks."

While Toure will be available for the FA Cup tie at Burnley on Sunday, Ivory Coast have a strong squad and if they perform to their potential the defender might not appear again in the Premier League until after the final of the African Cup of Nations, on February 10th.

Wenger, nonetheless, has had foreknowledge of that possibility and has tried to prepare to do without the defender.

Philippe Senderos would seem the natural alternative but the Swiss centre-back Johan Djourou had appeared 13 times in the Premier League this season for Birmingham City before Wenger decided to recall him from that loan.

Gallas said the 4-1 defeat of Everton last Saturday showed Arsenal could sustain their title bid. "We didn't play well," he said, "but we were so strong. We wanted to win that game and we showed everybody. If we can keep doing that I think everything will be fine."

While the options are limited at centre-back, there has been unrest from others, ranging from Lassana Diarra to Jens Lehmann, over their lack of appearances.

"If they are not playing too many games it is not easy," said Gallas.

• Guardian Service