Arsenal vs Chelsea: Christian Pulisic to miss Premier League clash after positive Covid re-test | football news

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Chelsea will have to face Arsenal in the London derby on Sunday – live on Sky Sports – without Christian Pulisic after Thomas Tuchel revealed he had tested positive for Covid.

The news comes as a blow for the American winger, who struggled with injuries during his time at Stamford Bridge but scored a goal in Chelsea’s first-day win over Crystal Palace last week.

Tuchel has received better news regarding Hakim Ziyech and N’Golo Kante, with both players returning to training before the trip to the Emirates Stadium after missing the Al Qasr match.

Sunday August 22 4:00 PM Departure 4:30 PM

Discussing his side to face Arsenal, Tuchel said: “Christian is unfortunately easy to explain. He had a positive test and needed to follow protocol, so he was not in training and unavailable for the match.

“Hakim and Ngolo were both in training today and had absolutely no problems. We need another physical training session with them tomorrow, but at the moment it seems very positive that they both will be in the squad on Sunday.”

Tuchel is also set to have the chance to sign Romelu Lukaku’s record for Sunday’s game, with the coach saying, “Hopefully he’ll be on the field on Sunday and things look like that.”

Chelsea will travel to Arsenal as favorites to win after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Brentford in their first Premier League game of the season, and Tuchel expects Mikel Arteta’s side to play to the level of the ‘underdog’.

Arsenal was also hit by the Covid virus outbreak that affected several players, including captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Tuchel said: “I don’t know what else.” [their] The team will be – hard to predict.

“They can probably play the underdog here because of the complications they have with the Covid situation, the difficulties they had in the first game.

“I think they will try to put themselves in the role of the underdog and fight from there, which is fair enough.

Photo: Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal last season

“We have to be fully focused and well aware of everything they are going to ask of us. They can hurt anyone if you are not focused.”

Chelsea have already scored one win in the Emirates this season, having beaten Arsenal 2-1 in a pre-season friendly earlier this month, and Tuchel admitted the match whetted his appetite for Sunday’s clash, which is due to take place before a full match. a house.

“We played a pre-season match, not all the fans, but we were able to see the atmosphere and energy that this derby and this stadium can produce,” the Chelsea coach said.

“I think it’s always tough, tough. It’s been a bit of a rough start and I think from their point of view it can be beneficial to have a big competitor arrive from in-town now. It can create a situation where they stay together and try to win over their fans with a solid performance.”

“So we have to be fully prepared for Arsenal, they have the qualities – a strong coach, a strong team, strong signings.

“At the same time, do what we need to do. Push the standards to the limit, let’s see where the maximum is, find intense game, rhythm and play confident on and off the ball.”

Tuchel also revealed that Trevoh Chaluba will remain part of Chelsea’s first-team squad this season.

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Free to watch: Highlights from Chelsea’s victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League

The 22-year-old has spent the last three seasons on loan – including a stint with French club Lorient last season – but has been impressed by Chelsea’s victory over Palace, as well as their Super Cup win over Villarreal.

Tuchel said: “He has done a great preparation for the season and is a very good player. Most importantly, he is a standout. He has both feet on the ground and he seizes his opportunity admirably.

“He played very good matches in pre-season, he gave 120 minutes against Villarreal and another strong 90 minutes against Crystal Palace.

“I think it makes a lot of sense for him to stay with us and look for his opportunity here. We have left some players and Trevo is the man we definitely want to keep.

“We spoke yesterday (Thursday) and I think the situation is that he’s out for loans, he’s had the minutes he needs to develop and now is a good moment to stay with us and be part of the group and take other steps to fulfill his dream, which is to be part of a strong Chelsea squad.

“We trust him and he deserves it – this is not a gift.”

Lukaku: Italy did me good, but the time is right for Chelsea

Romelu Lukaku has a calm-like quality as he sits down to have an exclusive chat with Sky Sports. He looks healthy, calm and calm as he gives Jeff Shreves an in-depth look into his history at Chelsea, why Italy was the right move and how it is now time to play for his boyhood club…

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Romelu Lukaku says he is determined to win trophies upon his return to Chelsea as he reveals discussions with former team-mate Didier Drogba

It’s no secret that Lukaku was a Chelsea fan in his childhood, and was looking for notable players like Didier Drogba, with whom he remains in contact to this day.

“We talked a few days ago and we talked about that time [when Lukaku was previously at Chelsea] And about the progress I’ve made and what I must continue to improve – maintaining the same hunger all the time,” Lukaku revealed.

“The thing about Didier is that he’s a very detailed person. Thierry Henry is also very detailed and it’s the details that make the difference. We talk about individual exercises that I like, what is the point of each exercise and we talk about those things, but also about trying to win because that’s the important thing.

“He is a winner in every sense of the word and that is the thing I want to achieve for this football club.”

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