Chelsea address injury fear as star withdrawn from international duty ahead of key Arsenal clash

Chelsea have been handed a key fitness boost ahead of their highly-anticipated London derby with Arsenal in 10 days time. The Stamford Bridge faithful have been treated to renewed signs of optimism in recent weeks after three consecutive victories against Brighton in the Carabao Cup as well as Fulham and Burnley in the Premier League.

Their most recent victory 4-1 at Turf Moor marked the first time that the Blues have scored four goals in a game since April 2022 when Thomas Tuchel was in the dugout. One of the stars of the show during the win in Lancashire was Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson who scored for the second time in his last three games.

The former Villarreal star has been a slow starter for Chelsea and has managed just two goals in seven Premier league appearances. But he remains the club’s most high profile centre forward during the absence of new signing Christophe Nkunku. With the test against Arsenal just around the corner, doubts started to emerge over Jackson’s fitness as he was withdrawn from the most recent Senegal squad during the international break.

Jackson’s omission from the Senegal squad came as a result of an arm injury which the striker had been carrying and he has worn a splint on his right arm during his last two matches to protect the injury.

Some were concerned that Jackson’s injury had escalated ahead of the Arsenal clash, but new reports from the Daily Mail claim that the striker’s withdrawal was a precautionary measure to give him time to recover from an operation.

The reports also suggest that the striker will be fully fit to lead the line at Stamford Bridge ahead of the game against Arsenal on 21 October. Arsenal are unbeaten in the league so far with six wins and two draws from their opening eight matches.