In only the first ten minutes Ben Chilwell was forced off with an injury after a challenge with Jarrod Bowen. A failed attempt to run it off saw him replaced by Emerson. Postgame, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard confirmed he is a doubt for his side’s trip to the Emirates to face a struggling Arsenal side on Boxing Day.
Chelsea risk being without both first-choice full-backs going into the busy winter period with Reece James another injury doubt.
Lampard said after the game: “I expect he (Chilwell) will be doubtful for Arsenal. He turned his ankle, tried to carry on but it was too painful so we’ll have a scan or whatever tomorrow and try to see how bad he is. Reece and Chilly have been doing really well so we hope both their injuries are not too bad and they’ll be in and around those two games over Christmas.”
Chilwell, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, posted a hopeful message on his Instagram last night suggesting it will only be a minor injury.
Chilwell a Doubt for Arsenal Game After Injury
Chelsea Impressive Again
Despite the injuries to two key men, Chelsea kept a clean sheet against a dangerous West Ham side. Emerson and Azpilicueta filled in well for the missing pair. Also, summer signing Thiago Silva put in a man of the match performance in what ended up being a comfortable result for after two late Tammy Abraham goals put the game beyond doubt.
Chelsea will hope to take confidence from this game going into another London derby this weekend. They face a struggling Arsenal side who sit just above the relegation zone. The Blues will hope to add insult to injury at the Emirates and use these two games as the foundations to start a good run going into the busy winter period.
After a bit of a wobble, Chelsea look back on track. Despite the injuries, they will go into this weekend full of confidence.
They are only six points off of league leaders Liverpool and a point outside of the Champions League places. With a number of new signings slowly adapting to life in England, this can be seen as a good start for Lampard’s men. They will hope to find some consistency in the new year and really kick on in 2021.
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