In a neat piece of cup symmetry, the latest double-winners start their trophy defence at the club which was first to win English football's two biggest prizes in the same season.

North End's success was in the 1880s and, Bergkamp or not, it would be a major shock if the Second Division club were to beat the Premiership champions.

But Arsene Wenger will be keen for his Dutch master to play on Monday rather than have to turn to two of his much-criticised second string strikers, with Nicolas Anelka also out.

Christmas crocks

Bergkamp was injured during the Gunners' Premiership clash with Charlton last Monday, while Anelka was sidelined after picking up an ankle injury on Boxing Day against West Ham.

Five other first-team regulars are doubtful for the trip to Deepdale, but the Dutch international will have a fitness test over the weekend on knocks to his ankle and hip, as well as a groin problem.

Wenger revealed: "Dennis is not as bad as expected. He has a small chance of being fit on Monday.

"I would also say that Nicolas is only one week away. That is certainly better than we had first thought."

Christopher Wreh helped Arsenal to Wembley last year

Arsenal are likely to turn to either young Argentinian striker Fabian Caballero or Christopher Wreh in the absence of their first-choice strikeforce, with winger Marc Overmars also ready to switch to a more central role.

Wreh, who scored the winner in the Gunners' FA Cup semi-final victory against Wolves at Villa Park last season, did not impress when he came on as a substitute for Anelka against West Ham.

Wenger was ready to use Caballero against Charlton. But the 20-year-old striker, who is on loan from a club in Paraguay, was finishing a three-match suspension after being sent off in a reserve match.

That ban is now over and, although Caballero has only appeared as a substitute for Arsenal this season, he could now be given his chance.

"He has a quick shot, is intelligent in the box, is a good header of the ball and is a typical goalscorer," said Wenger.

"He is ready for the first team, and I'll consider playing him on Monday. But physically he is a little bit behind now because I gave him one week back to his home country when he was suspended for such a long time."

The five other Arsenal players definitely ruled out of the match at Preston are Tony Adams, David Seaman, Stephen Hughes, Fredrik Ljungberg and Nigel Winterburn, while Gilles Grimandi is also suspended.

North End flu bug

Preston boss David Moyes, meanwhile, is fighting to keep his side free from flu.