KEY POINTS

  • Chelsea recently lost 4-1 to Brighton in the Premier League
  • Kepa picked up the foot injury in the first half of that game
  • Out-of-form Edouard Mendy is back as Chelsea's goalkeeper

Chelsea are awaiting to know the extent of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's injury and for how long will the Spanish player be out of action.

Kepa, who started Chelsea's Premier League game at Brighton last Saturday, suffered a foot injury in the first half and was replaced by Edouard Mendy. The Blues ended up losing the match 4-1 at Falmer Stadium.

Subsequently, Kepa missed Chelsea's 2-1 Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge. Kepa, who recently reclaimed The Blues' No. 1 goalkeeper spot from Mendy, is currently using crutches but only as a precautionary measure, Chelsea boss Graham Potter revealed.

Kepa, who will be missed in Chelsea's upcoming crucial league game against Arsenal on Sunday, started in six consecutive Premier League games before sustaining the injury. In addition, Kepa was in the front of the goal sticks for all of Chelsea's group games in the Champions League game, but the final one was against Zagreb this season.

"No, he won't be OK for Sunday. It's only precautionary [to have the crutches] to keep the weight off his foot. He's progressing well but won't be available for Sunday," Potter told BT Sport after Chelsea's 2-1 win, according to Goal.com.

Proving his worth: Kepa Arrizabalaga kept a much-needed clean sheet in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Liverpool
Kepa Arrizabalaga recently reclaimed his spot as Chelsea's No. 1 goalkeeper AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS

Chelsea have lost three of their last four Premier League games against Arsenal – this is more than they had in their previous 17 against the Gunners (won – 9, draw – 6, loss – 2). While Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are at the top of the 2022-23 Premier League table, Chelsea have dropped to sixth.

Meanwhile, Chelsea also saw defender Ben Chinwell pick up a hamstring injury during their home game against Zagreb on Wednesday. The 25-year-old English left-back, who pulled up in stoppage time after clutching the back of his leg, could be doubtful to recover in time for the FIFA World Cup 2022. The marquee tournament is scheduled to begin on Nov. 20 in Qatar.

"It's not great. Obviously, when he pulls up like that it's a concern, so we need to scan it, but it's not positive at the moment. It's a blow for us on an otherwise positive evening, I think. We have our fingers crossed at the moment," Potter said after the game in London.

"I think you'd have to say there are worries about him being okay for the World Cup. I don't want to add any more than that, but obviously, when a player pulls up like he did and he felt it, it's never positive," added Potter.

Gareth Southgate's England are set to begin their campaign on Nov. 21 by taking on Iran in their Group B fixture.

Soccer