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Despite their thumping 4-0 win in midweek over Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Chelsea FC received a major blow in the form of a hamstring injury to Brazilian midfielder Willian that will rule him out of Saturday’s London derby against Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea FC manager Jos Mourinho unsurprisingly kept his cards close to his chest in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Blues’ second London derby at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but was able to definitively rule out Brazil international Willian.
Meanwhile, Gunners’ boss ArsA?ne Wenger confirmed that England international Jack Wilshere is due to have surgery next week and is expected to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Willian out, late decisions to be made on Falcao, Pedro and Oscar
Mourinho confirmed that Willian would not feature for Chelsea FC, and that late decisions would be made on the attacking trio of Radamel Falcao, Pedro and Oscar. The latter started the Blues’ Champions League group stage opener against Maccabi Tel-Aviv in midweek and put in an impressive performance, but is not yet fully match fit.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the game, Mourinho is quoted by the club’s official website as saying, “I select every player for the squad because we have doubts. Tomorrow I dona t want to be in a situation where during the warm-up somebody doesna t have the best feelings, and we have lots of players in this situation.
“Willian is not even an option. Pedro, Falcao and Oscar – leta s see what happens. They are not definitely ruled out but leta s see.”
Ramsey, Beller n poised for return, Mertesacker doubtful
Arsenal FC have a few injury worries of their own, with manager ArsA?ne Wenger confirming that midfielder Jack Wilshere will face a protracted spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery next week.
“He will have surgery next week and it is a blow, a big problem,” Wenger is quoted as saying by the official website. “But on the short term only because it does not damage his future.”
Meanwhile, the Frenchman was able to confirm the return of midfielder Aaron Ramsey and right-back H ctor Beller n, who were both left out of the Arsenal FC squad to face Dinamo Zagreb in midweek. German centre-back Per Mertesacker remains doubtful, however, and a late decision is expected to be taken on the 30-year-old.
“We have no injuries and we left Ramsey and Bellerin behind [for the Zagreb game],” Wenger said. “They integrate into the squad again. Mertesacker may still be a bit short, I have to decide that today (Friday).”
