When Chelsea plays Arsenal on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, six players will be absent.
The challenge for manager Graham Potter will be to defeat Mikel Arteta’s team, who are presently leading the Premier League standings.
Ben Chilwell, who left the game against Dinamo Zagreb in the waning seconds with a hamstring tear, will undergo a scan on the injury on Friday afternoon. His participation in the World Cup is now in serious doubt, and he will undoubtedly miss the tournament.
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Despite being aware of the injury, he is in good spirits, according to Potter. The scan was delayed because we needed to wait for the swelling to go down. “After that, we’ll learn more.
Although we all observed the extent of the damage, I wouldn’t say that he fears the worst. I can’t say it looks good, but it’s hard to say without the scan first.
Reece James and Wesley Fofana are no longer in the hospital and are continuing their rehab programs in Dubai in an effort to recover from more serious knee injuries. N’Golo Kante underwent surgery to address a significant hamstring problem, and he will be out for at least another three months.
Until club football starts at the end of December, Kepa Arrizabalaga will likewise be out, thus Edouard Mendy will start in goal against the Gunners.
On Friday, Potter remarked, “Kepa, no [he isn’t available].” On the sole of his foot, he suffers plantar fasciitis. He won’t likely play until the World Cup, in my opinion.
Carney Chukwuemeka, a young midfielder for Chelsea, has been working out by himself for the past week as they treat his hamstring ailment.
Mateo Kovacic’s comeback for the Blues, who missed the most recent Champions League victory due to calf pain, is encouraging.
In their matchup with Manchester United, Chelsea used a 3-4-3 system, and Potter may use that as a starting lineup model on Sunday.
After Kalidou Koulibaly’s return three days earlier, it would imply that all of their healthy defenders will start, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would likely play against his former team.
Confirmed Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Koulibaly; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Jorginho, Cucurella; Mount, Aubameyang, Sterling