Chelsea XI vs Arsenal: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury update for Premier League

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Evening Standard

·4 September 2026

Chelsea XI vs Arsenal: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury update for Premier League

Blues face champions in hotly-anticipated London derby

The Blues head to the Emirates on Sunday in their third league game of the season, with both sides among the four teams who have won both of their opening fixtures of the campaign.

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Chelsea won 4-3 against Brighton last weekend but it was a win somewhat overshadowed by Caicedo’s return from injury and prompt exit once more due to pain in an abrupt end to a 14-minute cameo.

Alonso said of the midfielder on Sunday: “Hopefully, it’s not new, and it wasn’t more than last time.

“He was cautious to stop, to say that his feeling was not the best. We need to assess during the week that it wasn’t something else.”

That means the Ecuador international is a serious doubt for the upcoming London derby, and Alonso said in his press conference on Friday that “we will check tomorrow [Saturday]”, indicating he will know more about Caicedo’s availability after Saturday, when the squad have their final training session before their trip to the Emirates.

Injury worry: Moises Caicedo

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Jordan Henderson has not played for his new club yet due to a wrist injury suffered at the World Cup and the latest update on him was Alonso explaining he is waiting to be given the “green light” before handing the 36-year-old his debut.

Another summer signing, Marco Palestra, has also been sidelined with injury.

Reece James could start in midfield, as Chelsea are known to be planning to use him more in he middle of the park this season, with his importance there only due to grow after Enzo Fernandez departed for Manchester City and the transfer of Lamine Camara collapsed.

Valentin Barco is another option in midfield but might be left on the bench in favour of the more experienced Romeo Lavia, who scored the opener against Brighton last time out.

Emi Martinez will be expected to retain his place in goal, while the new-look front three of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro will likely be given another run-out.

Jorrel Hato and Pep Chavarria are the two options at left wing-back.

Injured: Henderson, Palestra

Doubt: Caicedo