Six Chelsea players absent from training pictures ahead of huge Arsenal clash

Liam Rosenior has been left sweating on the fitness of some big names ahead of Chelsea's clash against Arsenal

Liam Rosenior has been in the Chelsea job less than a week but is preparing for one of the biggest games of the season already.

The Blues welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. After winning his first game at the weekend 5-1 against Charlton, it is Rosenior's first real test as the new head coach.

"We've been working tactically on Arsenal from the moment I came into the club," he said on Monday. "We know what an important game it is. We've watched all of their games, analysed every aspect of their game, including set-plays, which they're very good at.

"Yes, there's a lot you can affect. We talk about systems and tactics. What I was very happy with, after being for two days, I saw an attitude in the team against Charlton that I really, really liked in terms of our energy, in terms of our intensity to press, in terms of winning duels. You're going to need that against a very, very good team on Wednesday night."

Liam Rosenior has been left sweating on the fitness of Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Malo Gusto, who suffered knocks during Chelsea's defeat to Fulham earlier this month. Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Monday, the Blues boss claimed the trio will undergo a late fitness test.

It remains to be seen whether Palmer, James, and Gusto will be available to face Arsenal, but if the club's latest training pictures are anything to go by, they're unlikely to feature. Neither of the three players was spotted in action at Cobham, leaving their absence open to interpretation.

Romeo avia didn't train, but that comes as no surprise, as he continues to nurse a muscle problem. The 22-year-old midfielder, who's struggled to stay fit since joining Chelsea from Southampton in August 2023, hasn't featured for the Blues since the start of November.

He was forced off with an injury in the opening minutes of a UEFA Champions League clash against Qarabag. Levi Colwill was also absent from training as he continues to nurse a knee injury.

The 22-year-old defender ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament shortly after reporting for pre-season training. He underwent surgery in early August, and he's currently enrolled on a rehabilitation programme.

The Cobham graduate has, however, recently been spotted mingling with the Chelsea squad on matchdays. There's still no sign of Mykhailo Mudryk either.

The 25-year-old winger, whom the Blues signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, was provisionally suspended in December 2024 following a positive test for a banned substance. Mudryk was officially charged in June 2025, and it remains to be seen when his case will be concluded.

"First of all, we are waiting for a disciplinary decision in his case (from the Football Association of England)," said Witold Banka, the World Anti-Doping Agency president, back in November. "As of today, we do not know when it will come,

"Then, according to the anti-doping code, we will request the player's documentation and will decide whether we agree with this disciplinary decision. We can appeal in two cases: if we consider the decision too harsh or too lenient."