Real Madrid join Bayern Munich in the race for Chelsea star Kepa Arrizabalaga after the ACL injury to Thibaut Courtois. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has ruled goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga out of Sunday’s important league game against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge (h/t Metro).
Kepa picked up a foot injury during the Blues’ defeat at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion last Saturday. Edouard Mendy started in goal against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday and would continue to do so against the Gunners.
The 28-year-old Spain international started every game under Potter till Wednesday. His form was so good that even when Mendy returned to fitness, the manager kept him in goal. He was seen at Stamford Bridge standing on crutches in midweek.
Here’s what Potter said regarding Kepa’s injury and his unavailability for the next game (h/t Metro):
“No he won’t be okay for Sunday. It’s only precautionary [to use crutches] to keep the weight off his foot. He’s progressing well but won’t be available for Sunday.”
As much as missing Kepa would be a blow for Chelsea, Mendy is a top-class replacement. The latter was the club’s first-choice keeper before he picked up an injury against West Ham United. His form wasn’t great this season, but based on his performances in the last two seasons, he is very good.
Although the Blues have been good under Potter, their recent league form reads two draws and a defeat in the last three games. That run of form has pushed them 10 points behind league leaders Arsenal, who they will face on Sunday.
They would hope to return to winning ways to cut that gap between them and the London rivals. It won’t be easy though as Arsenal have been in great form and worthy of being top of the league. Mendy could be called upon to make some saves in the game and as we have seen in the past, we can come to rely on the Senegal international.
Another factor related to this match is that the Blues next face Newcastle United, another top-four contender, in the league. So, they would want to go into that encounter with hopefully a gap-closing win under their belt.
It has been reported that Chelsea have dispatched their scout in pursuit of the German attacker Francis Onyeka.
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