Lacazette, Aubameyang, Willian – Arsenal confirmed team news and injury updates ahead of Chelsea

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Arsenal have received a huge boost ahead of facing Chelsea in the Premier League this week.

Club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is poised to return after missing Arsenal’s opening game of the 2021/22 season, which got off to the worst possible start last Friday night as they lost 2-0 at the hands of newly promoted Brentford.

His potential presence could increase manager Mikel Arteta’s options in attack as the Spaniard looks to avenge Chelsea’s defeat earlier in the month.

Thomas Tuchel’s side won at the Emirates Stadium, albeit in a pre-season friendly, and they started the season strong with wins over Villarreal – to win the European Super Cup – and Crystal Palace.

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Although Arsenal have won the last three competitive meetings between the two sides, including a 3-1 win in the opposite game last season which started to make progress in shape.

Arteta will be hoping to increase that impressive record on Sunday, but the Spaniard has a few injury issues to contend with ahead of the big game.

With that said, here’s a roundup of the latest Gunners injury news and expected return dates.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Before kick-off against Brentford, Arteta suffered a double whammy with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette disqualified from the match at Brentford Community Stadium.

The reason for their absence is due to illness, the Arsenal manager revealed.

“[Aubameyang and Lacazette] I feel unwell, that’s all I can say. Instead of thinking of excuses, we think of solutions, and that is what we will do today,” Arteta told Sky Sports.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Lacazette have been left out of Arsenal’s defeat to Brentford. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Football.london then reported that Aubameyang and Lacazette were skeptical about visiting Chelsea.

Arsenal have since confirmed that the 32-year-old has tested positive for Covid-19, keeping him away from the trip to west London and that he will return to training this week and may be available for selection.

“Oba has tested positive for COVID-19 and was not available for last Friday’s match in Brentford,” a statement read. “Auba is now negative for the Covid-19 test, is fine and is following all protocols to return to play. He will be back in training and will be evaluated before Sunday’s game.”

Alexandre Lacazette

However, Lacazette will not be available for selection.

The statement added: “Alex has tested positive for Covid-19 and was unavailable for last Friday’s match at Brentford. Alex is still recovering and will not be available for Sunday’s match.”

Willian and Alex Ronarson have also tested positive for Covid-19 and the latter will not be available to face Chelsea.

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Ironically, the 28-year-old came off limping during Arsenal’s 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Chelsea at the start of the month.

However, while the injury is not too serious, Barty is set to miss the Blues’ return to north London, the Carabao Cup match against West Brom, and there is no doubt about facing Manchester City at the end of the month.

Ahead of the Brentford match, Arsenal released an update on the Ghana international.

Thomas Partey is currently out of play with Arsenal. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

A club statement read: “Right ankle. Thomas injured his right ankle ligaments during the friendly match against Chelsea on 1 August.

“Thomas’s assessment continues and he is expected to be back in training by the end of August.”

One can safely assume that unless the midfielder gets a few training sessions under his belt before the Manchester City game on August 28, it won’t be until after the international break when he returns to play.

Eddie Nketia

It was also confirmed that Bitchy is facing up to a month on the sidelines with an ankle problem of his own.

“Edy sustained bruises in his right ankle during the friendly match against Chelsea last Sunday,” the statement continued. “Eddie’s evaluation is continuing and he is expected to be back in training in approximately four weeks.”

The striker, who has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer, will be targeting a return to play after the international break.

Gabriel Magalhaes

There is some good news about Gabriel who has a knee injury that has kept him out of the Summer Olympics.

“Right knee. Gabriel injured his right knee while on the Brazilian Olympic team. Gabriel is progressing well with the medical team and aims to return to training later this month.”

As a result, the Brazilian will miss the matches against Chelsea and West Brom in the Carabao Cup and Man City.

Gabriel Magalhaes could soon be available for Arsenal after injury. Image credit: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Despite this, if Gabriel returns to training early next month, he could be in contention to face Norwich City in Arsenal’s first game after the international break.

The transfer window is in full swing and things are starting to pick up with Edu and Mikel Arteta’s dealings in the UAE.

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Sead Kolasinac wasn’t included in the match-day squad to face the Bees, but he trained before the match, so it looks like this was just a decision Arteta made.

Meanwhile, Folarin was replaced by Balogon, Gabriel Martinelli and Callum Chambers in the second half.

Although they were tactical changes and they should all be competing for the big game against the Blues.

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