Chelsea boss Graham Potter has revealed that Kepa Arrizabalaga will miss their upcoming clash against Arsenal through injury.
The Spaniard went off injured at half time in the Blues’ weekend defeat to Brighton, with Edouard Mendy coming on to replace him for the remainder of the game.
As a result, the latter started in goal for Chelsea in their Champions League group stage tie against Dinamo Zagreb, with the west London side winning 2-1 on a wet and windy night at Stamford Bridge.
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It was revealed after the game that Kepa arrived at the ground on crutches following his injury from the weekend.
After the win against Zagreb, Potter revealed that the goalkeeper, who had been in fine form prior to the trip to Brighton, will be unavailable for the clash against London rivals Arsenal.
Speaking to BT Sport, the head coach said: "No he won’t be okay for Sunday (vs Arsenal).
“It’s only precautionary (crutches) to keep weight off, progressing well but won’t be available for Sunday."
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Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League table after 12 games, with Chelsea sitting in sixth.
The Blues are also set to be without another one of their key players, with Ben Chilwell coming off injured in the win against Zagreb.
In the final minutes of the game, the left wing-back ran to chase the ball but soon pulled up and held his hamstring, and left Stamford Bridge on crutches.
His place in the England squad for the World Cup could also be in jeopardy as a result, and Potter revealed after the game that it is a ‘blow’ to the side.
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"It’s a blow for us on an otherwise positive evening,” he told the media in his post-match press conference.
“To see him pull up like that, it’s not a great sight. So fingers crossed when we get it scanned it isn’t too bad."
Despite the injury to Chilwell, Chelsea did well to come from behind against their Croatian opponents.
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Bruno Petkovic gave Zagreb the lead early on with a header from inside the area, but Raheem Sterling soon pulled the score level with his fourth goal of the season.
Debutant Denis Zakaria then netted his first goal for the club on the half hour mark, with his strike proving to be the decider on the night.
Chelsea have now finished top of Group E and will advance to the last-16 of the tournament.
The Blues will soon find out who they will face in the knockout stages as they set their sights on winning the trophy for the third time in their history.
Topics: Chelsea, Graham Potter, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Arsenal, Premier League, Football
Robert Calcutt