Mikel Arteta receive huge boost ahead of London derby with Chelsea set to have three important players potentially unavailable for Arsenal clash
Injuries have caused Chelsea to still be without three players ahead of their match against Arsenal on Saturday.
This weekend, Arsenal will meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Both teams are pressed for time to make sure that key players are available.
Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey are still recovering from recent injuries, and the Gunners are worried about their health. The Blues are also battling with injury problems.
With six victories and two draws in their first eight Premier League games, Arsenal enters the match unblemished. Mikel Arteta’s team will arrive at Stamford Bridge on Saturday feeling confident after their victory over Manchester City before the break.
In their first eight league games, Chelsea has had a mixed record, winning three games, drawing two, and losing three. But they’ve won their last two games, showing that Mauricio Pochettino, their new manager, is helping them rediscover their footing.
Due to a hamstring injury, Reece James hasn’t appeared for the Blues since the season’s first game. He reportedly made tremendous progress in his recovery over the international break, but it’s too soon to say whether he’ll be able to play in the match.
Benoit Badiashile will also take a late fitness test prior to the match on Saturday as he approaches his injury recovery.
Malo Gusto’s return from suspension for Chelsea’s match against Arsenal this weekend is good news as it gives Pochettino another alternative in case Reece James is ruled ineligible to play.
Cole Palmer suffered a minor injury while playing for England U21s during the international break.
“I think Cole would be fine,” England u21 coach Lee Carsley said of Cole Palmer. We, on the other hand, do not take any chances with any of the players.
“If there’s a chance they’ll miss a game at the weekend, we get them back to the clubs as soon as possible.” We could have left Cole here another day to see how things went, but we didn’t believe it was appropriate.”
Chelsea is also without a number of long-term injured players, including Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku, Ben Chilwell, and Romeo Lavia.
