Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a Premier League top-of-the-table clash. Arsenal lead the league after strong wins over Tottenham and Bayern Munich, but injuries to Gabriel and others
test their depth against a Chelsea side boosted by Pedro Neto's form.
Arsenal hold the edge historically, unbeaten in six visits to Stamford Bridge (W3 D3) and winning seven of the last 11 league meetings. Chelsea seek a first win over Arsenal since 2021, relying on Estevao and Neto to exploit Arsenal's recent defensive lapses.
Ahead of the crucial derby, Mikel Arteta provided updates on several Arsenal players, emphasizing cautious management after recent injuries. Leandro Trossard sustained an issue in the first half of the 3-1 win over Bayern Munich but faces another assessment, with Arteta noting, "Yeah, with Leo there's another test today, we have to see how he's feeling. It doesn't look much, so we still have a few hours and we'll have to see, it's a potential chance. "
Gabriel faces a sideline spell following his injury, though Arteta remains optimistic about a quick recovery, stating, "I think he's evolving really, really well. We have to wait for the scan a little bit longer to be more precise in terms of the timings. I'm quite confident, especially the way Gabi takes every injury. "
Gabriel Jesus advanced in his recovery by playing in a behind-closed-doors friendly, but Arteta stressed gradual progression: "We have to see, obviously he's been out 11 months and you need that progression. He's very, very close at the moment. "
Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are the other two key players out and the forward duo are likely to remain sidelined for the upcoming clash, but the Gunners boss insisted they are nearing full fitness.
