Nine players to miss Arsenal vs Chelsea as Bukayo Saka and Marc Cucurella updates delivered

There are nine players that will miss Arsenal's Premier League clash against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday due to injury and suspension

Arsenal and Chelsea lock horns for the fourth time in three months when Mikel Arteta's side welcome the Blues to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners are hoping to follow up last Sunday's 4-1 win against Tottenham in the North London Derby with another statement success in their pursuit of a first Premier League title in 22 years.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are keen to bounce back following last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Burnley and give their Champions League qualification hopes a huge boost.

But there are a number of players that will miss Sunday's game in north London. Indeed, the Gunners will be without Mikel Merino as he continues to recover from surgery on a foot injury.

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Kai Havertz, Ben White and Bukayo Saka are facing a race against time to feature, with Arteta confirming in his pre-match press conference on Friday that they are waiting until Saturday to decide on their availabilities.

Max Dowman made his return to action for Arsenal Under 21s against Ipswich Town on Friday, after missing the last three months due to an ankle problem. Sunday's clash with Chelsea is set to come too soon for the 16-year-old.

As for Chelsea, the Blues have a much longer list of players injured or suspension for the fixture. Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee with the defender not featuring this season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Estevao are both unavailable due to thigh injuries, while Wesley Fofana is suspended following his red card in the draw against Burnley last weekend.

Dario Essugo is another long-term absentee with the midfielder not expected to return until March. He hasn't featured for the Blues yet since his £18.5million transfer from Sporting CP last summer.

Marc Cucurella is also unavailable for the Blues against Arsenal after suffering a hamstring injury in the draw against Leeds United earlier this month, though Rosenior is confident he will be back soon.

Mykhailo Mudryk is the final Chelsea player that will definitely miss the trip to the Emirates. Filip Jorgensen, meanwhile, could return to the squad face Arsenal, though he is facing a race against time to feature and would be unlikely to start.

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