Arsene Wenger has confirmed Aaron Ramsey has suffered a calf problem after the Wales international limped out of Tuesday’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Watford.
Ramsey was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlan after picking up the injury after just 20 minutes of the clash and went straight down the tunnel.
The 26-year-old now looks set for a spell on the sidelines although Wenger says he has no idea how severe the injury is yet.
“He has a calf strain. We don’t know how long he’ll be out for yet,” he told the official Arsenal website.
Ramsey came in for criticism from some supporters for his, albeit brief, display against Watford although the injury is poorly timed with Santi Cazorla also out, Mohamed Elneny still on international duty and Granit Xhaka suspended.
That leaves just Francis Coquelin as the club’s only fit central midfielder although Oxlade-Chamberlain is also an option.
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The 23-year-old also picked up a knock, however, against Watford although Wenger is confident he will be fit to face Chelsea.
“He got a kick on his knee, yes,” he said before insisting he expected him to be fit for the weekend, “No, I don’t think so. I think he should be alright.”
Arsenal will head to Stamford Bridge now nine points behind the leaders and in real need of a victory against Antonio Conte’s side.
The Gunners will, however, have fond memories of the last time they played the Blues when they ran out 3-0 winners back in September thanks to goals from Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil.
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