Arsenal vs Chelsea Early Injury News: 8 Ruled Out and 2 Doubts Ahead of London Derby
By Jamie Kemble, Football Reporter | Published 25th Feb 2026, 05:00 GMT
Arsenal and Chelsea are gearing up for a highly anticipated London derby this Sunday, with both teams facing significant injury challenges that could shape the outcome of this Premier League showdown. The Gunners enter the match riding high after a dominant victory over Tottenham in the North London derby last weekend, aiming to maintain their top spot and assert capital dominance. Meanwhile, Chelsea seeks to rebound from two consecutive underwhelming draws that have seen them slip out of the top four, adding urgency to their campaign.
Injury Roundup: Key Absences and Doubts
Here is a detailed look at the early injury news for both Arsenal and Chelsea, highlighting the players ruled out and those with doubts for the upcoming clash.
Chelsea Injury Concerns
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens - Out: Manager Rosenior confirmed a long-term absence due to a hamstring tear, stating it's too early to determine the exact recovery timeline.
Marc Cucurella - Out: Suffered a hamstring injury before halftime in the Leeds game and will be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks, with Rosenior praising him as one of the world's best left-backs.
Filip Jorgensen - Doubt: Expected back earlier but has yet to appear on the bench, leaving his availability unclear for Sunday.
Wesley Fofana - Out (Suspended): Serving a one-game suspension after being sent off in the previous match.
Romeo Lavia - Out: Has been training but is unlikely to be risked as he continues to build match fitness.
Dario Essugo - Out: Not expected to return until early March.
Levi Colwill - Out: Rosenior indicated Colwill could be back before the season ends but emphasized a cautious, step-by-step approach to his recovery.
Mykhailo Mudryk - Out (Suspended): Suspended due to anti-doping rule violations, with the club confirming ongoing charges in the summer.
Arsenal Injury Updates
Kai Havertz - Doubt: Was a toss-up for the Tottenham game and did not make it; likely to return but remains a doubt until Arteta confirms availability.
Bukayo Saka - Fit: Suffered a knock at the end of the Tottenham game but is not expected to impact his availability for Sunday.
Mikel Merino - Out: Likely to miss the rest of the season after a foot fracture, with Arteta noting a recovery process of three to five months post-surgery.
Max Dowman - Out: Arteta stated Dowman is still unavailable but doing well, with a return expected in early March after regaining rhythm.
Impact on Team Strategies
These injuries pose significant challenges for both managers. Arsenal must navigate the absence of key players like Merino and Dowman while hoping Havertz can recover in time. Chelsea, with multiple defensive and midfield absences, including Cucurella and Fofana, will need to rely on squad depth to counter Arsenal's attacking prowess. The derby promises to be a tactical battle, with injury news playing a crucial role in pre-match preparations.
