Mourinho’s Chelsea Team News Update: Quartet To Miss Arsenal Game

Chelsea welcome London rivals Arsenal to Stamford Bridge tomorrow lunchtime for this weekend’s big top-of-the-table clash.

Ahead of the game, Jose Mourinho has been speaking at his pre-match press conference and gave Chelseafc.com the latest team and injury news.

The Portuguese coach revealed that defender Ashley Cole won’t be featuring against his former club after failing to recover from the knee ligament injury that’s kept him out for the past three weeks. Cole’s continued absence means that Cesar Azpilicueta will remain at left-back.

Mourinho also has to make do without the services of midfielders Ramires and Willian for the visit of the Gunners. Ramires was shown a straight red card during the closing minutes of last week’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa while Willian was also shown his marching orders for two bookable offences in that same game, so Mourinho’s going to have to shuffle his pack this weekend.

There was some good news on the injury front with the Blues boss confirming that youngster Marco van Ginkel will play for the Under-21’s against Manchester United tonight as he continues to step up his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury that he picked up way back in September, but he won’t be involved against Arsenal on Saturday.

Mourinho told the clubs official website:

‘As a consequence of last Saturday we don’t have Ramires and Willian,’ said Mourinho.

‘Ashley Cole is still out. Marco van Ginkel is playing tonight against Man United for the Under-21s. Nothing else I think.’

With Ramires unavailable, Nemanja Matic is almost certain to be recalled in midfield after being ineligible in midweek while Andre Schurrle is favourite to come in for Willian in attack.

What team would Chelsea fans like to see start the game? Share your views below.