Arsenal will be looking to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat when they travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea tomorrow night. The Gunners are currently enduring a very poor run of form having lost their last three matches, results that have seen them drop out of the top four and into sixth place in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta's side managed to beat Thomas Tuchel's outfit in the same fixture last season, with Emile Smith Rowe scoring the game's only goal. That was, however, in front of no fans, and with the Chelsea crowd back in the stadium, the task at hand is expected to be that little bit more difficult.
And to make matters even more complicated, the Gunners will be without some of their key star's for the clash. Long term absentees Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney both remain restricted to the sidelines. The pair appear somewhat unlikely to take to the pitch again this campaign.
READ MORE: Arsenal star Bukayo Saka sends clear message to Edu as astonishing transfer value emerges
Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette is also a considerable doubt having tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the weekend’s clash with Southampton. There was good news on Tuesday regarding the fitness of Takehiro Tomiyasu, though. The Spaniard gave updates about both on Tuesday.
"With Lacazette, we have to see him today to see whether he will be available with the team," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. "Obviously as you all know, he had Covid, so he has been away for a few days. We will try to get his feeling and where he's and if he can somehow contribute to the team."
"Tomi is very, very close," Arteta added. "Whether this game is going to be too early for him or not, again we will decide it today after the training session."
It ultimately means that at best, Arsenal will be without just Tierney and Partey for the game against Chelsea. At worst, they will be without all four of those mentioned. Arteta and fans will be hoping it's the former.
