Arsenal injury updates ahead of Chelsea - including the latest on Lacazette and Tomiyasu

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hopes to have two key players back for the big London derby against Chelsea today.

While the manager revealed he will still be missing key duo Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney, he hopes for better news on Takehiro Tomiyasu and Alexandre Lacazette.

The Gunners will have to dig deep to find form and win at Stamford Bridge to breathe life into their top four ambitions.

Defeats to Crystal Palace, Brighton Hove and Albion and Southampton have damaged their ambitions and seen bitter rivals Tottenham jump ahead of them with the North London derby still to be played.

Injuries to key midfielder Partey at Selhurst Park looks to be season defining, while Tierney will certainly not kick a ball again this campaign after going under the knife.

Partey’s passing range, energy and in-game moves has been sorely missed in the last couple of games and even though Lokonga has been drafted in to fill the gap, it’s not been the same.

Granix Xhaka has had to move back to left-back to help plug the gap and that seems to have taken something out of the Gunners midfield amidst the recent poor run of form.

A personal issue has also led to the absence with captain Lacazette missing the game against Southampton.

The game against Chelsea is pivotal in the race for the top four, to make ground on bitter rivals Spurs.

What Arteta said on Lacazette and Tomiyasu?

On the possible return of the skipper against Chelsea, Arteta said: “We have to wait and see him again later today [Tuesday] and then we can make a decision on him.”

It sounds like there is a chance that Lacazette will be in the team, and possibly play a part in the game.

On Tomiyasu, Arteta said : “He is very, very close and we will decide after the training session today [Tuesday].”

Thomas Partey

Partey pulled out of the game against Crystal Palace, with what looked like a groin injury.

Arteta, who revealed he was looking great ahead of the Southampton game, is not entirely ruling out a return this season.

Expected return: Later this season

Tierney has had surgery and will not be involved again this season, even though there were whispers within the corridors at Colney that he could be back at some point.

Expected return: August 2022