Chelsea and Arsenal face a rash of injuries ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash, which could affect the title race.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal will be without several players when they face each other in the Premier League this weekend. The Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge for a crucial summit clash against the Blues on Sunday.
Arsenal hold a six-point advantage in the Premier League summit, fresh off a midweek Champions League victory over Bayern Munich.
Chelsea also impressed in Europe, winning 3-0 against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge that week. The Blues are currently second in the table heading into this weekend’s match against the Gunners.
However, both teams are currently dealing with multiple injury concerns and fitness concerns ahead of Sunday’s clash, reports football.london.
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Leandro Trossard poses another injury scare for Arsenal after he was withdrawn early in Bayern’s win.
Asked about his decision to replace Trossard, Mikel Arteta admitted: “I don’t know about Leo. He said he felt something, but obviously we didn’t want to take the risk.”
Arsenal were also without Gabriel Magalhães, Victor Gökeres, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus due to injury against Bayern Munich.
Apart from Gabriel, all of the players mentioned could return to the squad for the game against Chelsea, but at the moment the match remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are hopeful of Cole Palmer’s return against Arsenal after being sidelined for much of the season with a groin injury and subsequent broken toe.
The Blues have given their star player specially tailored cleats to help him get back on the training pitch as quickly as possible, a move Maresca confirmed.
“Yes, Cole is wearing the boots,” Maresca said before Chelsea’s win against Barcelona. “I don’t know (when he will be back to full fitness), but he will be back soon.
“He’s already on the pitch, he’s already touched the ball. It feels good. At the moment we’re only thinking about tomorrow’s game (against Barcelona).”
“Our focus is on the game against Barcelona in the Champions League and then we will turn our attention to the game against Arsenal. I don’t think he will be available for these two games, but he is doing well.”
However, Chelsea will certainly be without Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill and Dario Essugo against Arsenal due to injury.
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