Chelsea opponent Arsenal set for wild injury boost including fresh Saka update

Arsenal are quietly optimistic that star forward Bukayo Saka will be fit for their game against Chelsea this weekend despite the forward pulling out of England games this international weekend.

The Gunners beat Manchester City, Mikel Arteta's first win against City in the league and will hope to continue on the front foot when they visit Stamford Bridge this weekend.

The Gunners were also sweating on the fitness of Thomas Partey, who lasted only the first 45 minutes of their international friendly against Mexico.

All the concerns were eased when the midfielder returned to start against the United States two days later in their final game of the international break.

Ghana coach Chris Hughton then admitted the change was pre-determined as they looked to protect the player who has already missed six league games for the Gunners.

Ghana coach Chris Hughton told reporters: “Thomas was always only going to play 45 minutes. He has been out injured for three to four weeks, he came back for Arsenal last midweek, was on the subs bench for one game and played 20 minutes for the next game. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes.”

In other news Aaron Ramsdale says the attention being paid to his battle with David Raya to be Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper is "strange" but admits he fears for his England future if he continues to sit on the bench.

"I think because it's one of the first times it's happened with the situation it has been difficult," he told the BBC.

"There are times when you're doing the right thing, but it's the wrong thing and if you don't do it, it's the wrong thing. So it's a double-edged sword.

Ramsdale was the main man last season as Arsenal came close to winning the league before a late collapse meant Manchester City scaled them but he's now lost his spot to the more mobile David Raya.