Chelsea team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday evening when they square off against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

After an inconsistent start to the campaign, Mauricio Pochettino has since watched his team record three consecutive victories in all competitions.

However, at a time when their injury situation is threatening to escalate once again, Chelsea head into this fixture sitting nine points adrift of the Gunners in the standings.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with their London rivals, who have defeated them three times in succession.

Ben Chilwell

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: Unknown

Ben Chilwell is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, and it is unlikely that he will be available for selection again until December.

Reece James

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Unknown Possible return date: October 21 (vs. Arsenal)

Chelsea captain Reece James missed out against Burnley due to suspension as he went through the final stages of his recovery from a hamstring injury. However, Pochettino has revealed that the right-back has trained this week and may come into contention.

Christopher Nkunku

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Summer signing Christopher Nkunku is on course to return at the end of the year, with the Frenchman being forced to undergo an operation on a knee injury towards the start of August.

Benoit Badiashile

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: October 21 (vs. Arsenal)

Benoit Badiashile is in the latter stages of his recovery from a hamstring problem and there is a chance that the centre-back could be available for selection in this match.

Wesley Fofana

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Central defender Wesley Fofana faces a big battle to return before the end of the campaign, with the Frenchman undergoing an ACL operation in the middle of July.

Trevoh Chalobah

Status: Out Type of injury: Thigh Possible return date: October 21 (vs. Arsenal)

Trevoh Chalobah is yet to feature this season due to a thigh problem, and although he seemed in line to make his return to the squad, Chelsea revealed on Wednesday that he faced a period on the sidelines due to a recurrence of his injury.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Although Carney Chukwuemeka returned to the squad before the international break after a knee injury, he has since suffered a recurrence of the injury and is ruled out for the foreseeable future.

Romeo Lavia

Status: Out Type of injury: Ankle Possible return date: Unknown

Romeo Lavia is yet to make his debut for Chelsea due to a lack of fitness and an ankle injury, and the midfielder will not return until the end of November at the earliest.

Marcus Bettinelli

Status: Out Type of injury: Unspecified Possible return date: Unknown

Marcus Bettinelli is yet to feature this season due to an unspecified injury and it is unclear when the experienced goalkeeper might be available for selection once again.

Armando Broja

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Although Armando Broja featured in the matches before the international break, he was sent home by Albania, who deemed that he was not fit enough to contribute. Pochettino has since revealed that the forward will be absent with a knee issue, but not the one that kept him sidelined from December to September.

Cole Palmer

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Dead leg Possible return date: October 21 (vs. Arsenal)

Cole Palmer was another player to return early from international duty, a consequence of suffering a dead leg while representing England Under-21s. However, there is every expectation that the playmaker will keep his place in the team.

Axel Disasi

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Thigh Possible return date: October 21 (vs. Arsenal)

Axel Disasi missed out on representing France courtesy of a thigh strain picked up shortly before their double-header with Netherlands and Scotland. As it stands, it is unclear whether he will be able to line up in the first XI.

Nicolas Jackson

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Wrist Possible return date: October 21 (vs. Arsenal)

Nicolas Jackson used the international break to have a minor operation on a wrist injury. Although it is expected that he will be available for selection, Pochettino says that the Senegal international will be assessed.

CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST

With James and Malo Gusto having served their respective bans, Chelsea have no suspension issues ahead of this fixture.