Chelsea Team News: Sarri Confirms Injury Blow Ahead Of Arsenal Game + Kovacic Update

Chelsea will look to build on their impressive start to the season when they welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. 

Maurizio Sarri has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s provided a full team news and injury update ahead of the game.

The Blues boss has confirmed an injury blow with the news that Cesc Fabregas will miss the visit of his former club as he continues to recover from a minor knee injury.

Fabregas missed the opening weekend win at Huddersfield Town and has been unable to recover in time to face Arsenal but Sarri hopes the Spanish international midfielder will be back in training next week.

Mateo Kovacic could make his debut after working on his fitness this week following his deadline day loan move from Real Madrid. Although Sarri has hinted the Croatian international may start from the bench as he’s not yet ready to play the full ninety minutes.

Sarri told reporters today:

Maurizio Sarri reports that Cesc Fabregas is out of tomorrow's match. He hopes the player will be back training next week following an unusual but not serious injury near the knee. #CHEARS

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 17, 2018

Sarri on Kovacic's ideal position in his 4-3-3 formation: "He is not ready now for 90 minutes but maybe tomorrow, for the first 30 or the last, he can be used. He's a great player. He can play in the 3-man midfield, centre-right or centre-left. He's very good offensively." #CFC

— Vaishali Bhardwaj (@VaiBhardwaj) August 17, 2018

Otherwise, Sarri has a very healthy squad to choose from. Gary Cahill could return to the squad after missing the win last weekend due to a lack of fitness having made a late return to pre-season training following his exploits with England at the World Cup.

Eden Hazard made a cameo appearance off the bench against Huddersfield last week but the Belgian international is expected to be recalled to the starting eleven tomorrow evening after working on his fitness in training this week.