Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has confirmed that three key players will be sidelined for the upcoming Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Blues have stumbled in the past two league games, drawing against Leeds United and Burnley. They conceded a late stoppage time equaliser to the Clarets at home.
As a result, the club are three points behind the Red Devils for the fourth spot in the standings, while Liverpool are only goal difference behind them after 27 matches.
Chelsea face a stern challenge against the Gunners on the road on Sunday. Ahead of the London derby, Rosenior has confirmed three players who won’t play any part in the fixture.
The 41-year-old said that the game will come too soon for winger Estevao, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Jamie Gittens and Marc Cucurella are nursing similar concerns.
Gittens, who can operate on either wing, has just started his rehabilitation after his setback against West Ham, while left-back Cucurella won’t be available this weekend either.
Rosenior said: “Estevao, unfortunately, will be out for a little bit longer.
“Jamie Gittens is progressing really well in terms of his rehab. Cucu is progressing really well but he won’t be available for Sunday. Hopefully, we get him back in as soon as possible.”
Alongside the trio, the Blues will obviously be without centre-back Levi Colwill, who is recovering from a long-term knee injury, while goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is unavailable due to a knock.
French defender Wesley Fofana is also ruled out after his sending off against Burnley.
Arsenal have dominated the fixture in recent times. They have won seven and drawn three of the previous ten meetings, but Sunday’s game won’t be a cakewalk for the league leaders.
Chelsea went overly defensive in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final earlier this month, and Rosenior was criticised for his reluctance to take the game to the Gunners.
The Blues desperately need three points just like Arsenal on Sunday. Hence, we could see a more open contest between the clubs. Viktor Gyokeres could have a big part to play.
The Swede has been in impressive form since the turn of the year. He has netted eight goals and provided two assists, and could be a player to watch out for in the London derby.
Rosenior has acknowledged the same and believes Gyokeres has started to build his confidence. Rosenior said on the striker: “I worked with Viktor at Brighton’s Under-23s. Viktor has started to build his confidence and has shown he can score goals for Arsenal.”