This weekend’s Premier League London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea is shaping up to be a fascinating tactical battle — not just because of the stakes at the top of the table, but also due to a significant list of players on both sides who will miss the match or face doubts over their fitness.
From Arsenal’s injury concerns, including the fitness of Bukayo Saka, to Chelsea’s lengthy list of absentees — led by left‑back Marc Cucurella — this blog post dives into all the latest team news ahead of this crucial Premier League clash.
1. Arsenal’s Injury and Fitness Picture
Arsenal, sitting at the summit of the Premier League, have generally approached this game with a strong squad; however, they are still managing a handful of injuries and fitness questions.
Here’s a breakdown of Arsenal players unavailable or in doubt:
Mikel Merino (Out) – The midfielder is confirmed unavailable due to a foot injury that has kept him sidelined for a significant period.
Max Dowman (Out) – Another confirmed absentee, still recovering from an **ankle ligament injury.**
Bukayo Saka (Doubtful/Fit) – Saka hobbled off during the dominant 4‑1 win over Tottenham with a knock and was in doubt for the Chelsea clash, but has since been cleared to play after being substituted as a precaution.
Kai Havertz (Doubt) – The German forward has been sidelined for a few weeks with a hamstring issue but is pushing to return and train ahead of the game.
Ben White (Doubt) – Another fitness concern after recently missing games due to a minor issue.
What This Means for Arsenal
From a tactical standpoint, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta will have to manage his squad carefully. While Saka’s availability is a huge boost, the absence of Merino and Dowman limits midfield options, potentially placing extra tactical emphasis on players like Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Eberechi Eze. Arsenal’s depth, however, remains strong, and Arteta may still field a near‑full‑strength attacking lineup — possibly rotating spots to account for fitness and freshness.
2. Chelsea’s Long Injury and Suspension List
While Arsenal’s injury list reads more like precautionary knocks and longer‑term absentees, Chelsea’s situation is deeper and more impactful. Multiple players will miss this clash due to long‑term injuries, suspensions, or ongoing fitness issues.
Here are the Chelsea players ruled out or unavailable:
Marc Cucurella (Out) – The Spanish left‑back continues to miss matches with a recurring hamstring injury and will miss the game.
Wesley Fofana (Suspended) – The centre‑back is suspended following a red card, leaving a gap in Chelsea’s defensive structure.
Jamie Bynoe‑Gittens (Out) – Ruled out with another hamstring issue that has sidelined him since late January.
Levi Colwill (Out) – The defender is out until at least mid‑season recovering from ACL surgery, meaning he won’t feature again soon.
Filip Jorgensen (Doubt) – The backup goalkeeper remains uncertain for selection while he battles fitness issues.
Estevao Willian (Out) – The Brazilian winger will miss another game through injury, adding to the Blues’ attacking woes.
Dário Essugo (Questionable) – The young midfielder is training after injury but may not be ready for action.
Chelsea’s Tactical Implications
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has been under increasing pressure to find a consistent lineup. With Fofana suspended and Cucurella unavailable, Chelsea’s defensive setup will likely be rotated, relying on alternatives like Malo Gusto or Jorrel Hato at left‑back and adjusting the centre‑back partnership accordingly. The potential absence of attacking options like Estevao and Bynoe‑Gittens also reduces depth on the wings, perhaps forcing a more narrow or direct style of attack.
While Chelsea has suffered with injuries all season, they’ve shown resilience under Rosenior — going unbeaten in the league in recent matches — which suggests the Blues could still pose a threat despite their depleted squad.
3. The Significance of Missing Stars: Saka and Cucurella
Two of the most talked‑about names in this fixture — Bukayo Saka and Marc Cucurella — have dominated headlines as their fitness statuses were updated.
Bukayo Saka has been one of Arsenal’s most influential players this season. Although he suffered a knock against Tottenham, Arteta has since confirmed he’s fit to play, which is a major boost for the Gunners’ attacking potency. Saka’s ability to stretch defenses, create chances, and influence big games means his presence could be decisive in this high‑pressure matchup.
On the opposite side, Marc Cucurella’s absence is a significant blow for Chelsea. While versatile stand‑in defenders are available, losing a regular starter disrupts both defensive continuity and attacking support down the flank. Cucurella’s overlapping runs and defensive solidity are missed assets, and Chelsea’s substitutes will need to fill that void effectively.
4. Wrap‑Up: Nine Players Set to Miss the Big Match
Taken together, nine key players (and possibly more depending on late fitness tests) look set to miss Sunday’s Premier League showdown between Arsenal and Chelsea. These absentees — across both clubs — will shape team selection and tactical decisions:
From Arsenal:
Mikel Merino
Max Dowman
From Chelsea:
Marc Cucurella
Wesley Fofana
Jamie Bynoe‑Gittens
Levi Colwill
Estevao Willian
Filip Jorgensen
(Possible) Dário Essugo
(Plus other doubts like Havertz and Ben White on Arsenal’s side, meaning more potential late changes.)
Final Thought
This match isn’t just another headline London derby — it’s a tactical chess match between two managers balancing ideal lineups with player availability. While Arsenal look to further strengthen their title bid with a near‑full attacking complement, Chelsea will aim to upset the leaders despite substantial squad challenges.
Fans and neutrals alike should expect a display of squad management, tactical adaptability, and grit — even with several stars absent — when these two footballing giants meet at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
