Arsenal & Chelsea Stars Sent Home From International Duty With Fitness Concerns

Arsenal and Chelsea are sweating on the fitness of Tomas Rosicky and Petr Cech after the pair were sent home early from the Czech Republic national squad.

Rosicky earned his 100th senior cap during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Latvia in their Euro 2016 qualifier but it’s emerged that the midfielder played the match with a heavy cold.

Czech coach Pavel Vrba has decided against risking Rosicky for Tuesday nights friendly against Slovakia so the 34-year-old is heading back to North London to recuperate.

Arsene Wenger will now have to wait and see if the midfielder recovers in time to be in contention for Saturday’s crunch clash with Liverpool at the Emirates.

Chelsea are also sweating over the condition of Petr Cech after the goalkeeper was released from international duty after picking up a muscle problem.

It’s not clear how serious the injury is but Cech could now be considered a doubt to face Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Dusan Fitzel, team coordinator of the Czech national team, confirmed to Czech television station Ceska Televise that they had agreed with Arsenal and Chelsea that Rosicky and Cech would face Latvia before being sent back to London.

“We did so by prior arrangement and took into account the health status of some players.

“The coach, Pavel Vrba, moreover, was notified in advance and will give an opportunity against the Slovak Republic to players who, in the past, have not had adequate representation.” Fitzel said.

I’m sure Wenger and Mourinho will be praying no more of their players pick up any knocks during tomorrow’s international games as we head into the business end of the Premier League season.