Chelsea Team News To Face Arsenal: Kalidou Koulibaly Set To Feature As 3 Players Miss Training

Chelsea face Arsenal in their final game of their pre-season tour of the United States in Orlando on Sunday morning (UK), and the team news has been revealed. 

Thomas Tuchel’s side have a W1, L1 record from their two games so far after beating Club America in their opening game, before losing on penalties to MLS side Charlotte FC in midweek in North Carolina.

Chelsea head to the Camping World Stadium on Sunday to face Mikel Arteta’s side for their third and final fixture of the US schedule before heading back to England. 

Several players missed the defeat to Charlotte. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ross Barkley and Timo Werner missed the game through injury. 

Werner was out with a hamstring injury, while Kepa was experiencing pain which forced him not to be free in his movements. Azpilicueta had a muscle issue, and Barkley was still struggling with his hamstrings. 

Werner and Azpilicueta were back in training on Friday, while Kepa and Barkley weren’t seen which makes them huge doubts to face Arsenal. 

Kalidou Koulibaly was involved and is in line to make his first appearance since joining earlier this month from Napoli.

Levi Colwill was absent from training, but the reason for his non-involvement remains unclear, making him a doubt for the Arsenal clash. 

Jorginho will be ready to start once again for the Blues, admitting pre-match: "Against Arsenal it’s never a friendly match."

Meanwhile, his teammate Christian Pulisic is relishing the London derby Stateside, adding: "It's going to be a good test against someone we will face in the Premier League this year. We are looking forward to the challenge.

"The last game in the States should be a good one."

Head coach Thomas Tuchel is aware that his side need to be more competitive after slamming his side's lack of effort in the second half against Charlotte.

"If you want to maintain your position you need to improve," admitted the German.

"We have to do our homework, the other teams are not sleeping.

"We need to be more competitive than we are at the moment."

Full list of those who were and weren't involved in the open training session on Friday.

Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Edouard Mendy

Defenders: Ethan Ampadu, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Emerson Palmieri, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr, Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva

Midfielders: Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Kenedy, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic

Attackers: Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Michy Batshuayi, Hakim Ziyech

Absent: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Levi Colwill, Ross Barkley