Premier League UPDATE: Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta Gives Injury Update On Three Key Players Ahead Of Chelsea Clash

Friday, October 20 at 4:35 pm

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta is sweating over three key players just one day before the huge all-London clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 21.

A total of 14 players were away on international duty last weekend but another three never travelled due to injury.

Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard were sidelined with hamstring issues while William Saliba injured his big toe. They could all be unavailable for selection if they are not passed fit to be included in the squad.

Speaking on arsenal.com, this Friday 20, Mikel Arteta revealed: ‘We obviously haven’t had a lot of players. It’s the first training session we’re going to do today and we will know more after the session’.

‘I do have an idea (of his starting XI) but I have to see them all together today and how everybody is because we have a lot of people travelling around the world and with a lot of minutes in the legs’, the coach explained.

‘I want to judge what is the best for tomorrow, not only in terms of what I want to do tactically but also how the energy is, how the mood is, how the spirit is. In order to do that, I will have a better clue after the session today’, he continued.

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Thursday, October 19 at 9:08 pm

CHELSEA have been handed an injury blow ahead of this weekend’s huge clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Mauricio Pochettino had reportedly been hoping to welcome his captain Reece James back for the Premier League match that kicks off at 5:30 pm BST on Saturday, October 21.

The England defender has been out of action since picking up a hamstring injury in August. However, James has faltered in his return to fitness and is expected to be unavailable, as reported by Jonathan Gorrie at standard.co.uk.

According to chelseafc.com, midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and defender Trevoh Chalobah have also both suffered setbacks as they look to return from injuries sustained earlier in the season.

‘The duo will now go under further review before continuing their rehabilitation at Cobham with the club’s medical staff’, said the club’s report.

The Gunners beat Man City in their last league match

After a poor start to the season, the Blues chalked up two consecutive wins over Fulham and Burnley before the international break and currently sit in 11th place in the table.

A London derby with the Gunners will be a real test for Pochettino’s men, especially with Romeo Lavia still sidelined, along with long-term casualty Christopher Nkunku. Former Man City star Cole Palmer is also out, as is vice-captain Ben Chilwell.

Arsenal have three players fighting to be available after injury

After missing last weekend’s international matches, Mikel Arteta will be sweating over the fitness of the trio of 22-year-old England winger Bukayo Saka, 22-year-old French defender William Saliba, and 28-year-old Belgian midfielder Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal will arrive at the Bridge boosted by a win over the current champions Manchester City last time out. They are unbeaten so far this season in nine league games and a win on Saturday would see them leapfrog Tottenham into top spot.