Chelsea will begin a run of three games without Moises Caicedo against Leeds United tonight.
The Ecuador international was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Mikel Merino during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Despite the player’s pleas of innocence, Enzo Maresca was among the vast majority that agreed it a was a clear sending off, leaving the Chelsea boss with a big decision to make in midfield.
Caicedo has been the heartbeat of the Chelsea team this season and is absence could pose problems. Andrey Santos could be a ready-made replacement, however.
The Brazil international has only started three league matches this season but stepped into replace Caicedo effortlessly against Burnley.
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The former Brighton star was benched that afternoon after a long trip back from international duty with Santos Chelsea’s man of the match at Turf Moor that day.
Reece James was exceptional in midfield against Arsenal with Maresca now regarding him as a genuine midfield option if he can be spared at right-back.
But the Chelsea boss is understandably wary of starting his captain twice in the space of four days given his injury history. Given the sheer number of games on the horizon, exercising caution with James may be Chelsea’s best bet.
Cole Palmer was back in the squad on Sunday after recovering from the toe injury that delayed his comeback after the international break.
A starting role could beckon tonight with Maresca eager for him to start building up his match fitness again.
Chelsea remain without midfielders Romeo Lavia and Dardio Essugo in addition to long-term absentee Levi Colwill.
Santos will surely get the nod in midfield where Enzo Fernandez could also drop back into a more familiar role to make room for Palmer if Maresca decides he is fit to start.
Estevao Willian was hooked at half-time against Arsenal with Pedro Neto played the full 90. Alejandro Garnacho will be hopeful of getting the nod in one of those wide roles.
Leeds vs Chelsea kicks off at 8:15pm on Wednesday 3 December.
You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
Arsenal host Brentford in midweek Premier League action tonight with William Saliba a doubt for the Gunners.
The France international picked up a knock in training ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, missing the bad-tempered 1-1 draw.
With Gabriel Magalhaes already out with a thigh injury, Mikel Arteta named Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie at the heart of his defence.
The Gunners boss may have to rely on that pairing again against Brentford When speaking at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Arteta did not rule out Saliba but believes it will be a ‘matter of days’ before he shakes off the minor injury that kept him out at the weekend.
Gabriel meanwhile is not expected to return until late December.
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Arsenal do have Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber available to play at centre-half with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White ready to provide cover at left-back and right-back respectively.
Elsewhere, Leandro Trossard remains a doubt after also missing the draw at Chelsea. The Belgium international was forced in the first-half against Bayern Munich last week but his injury is not a serious one.
Viktor Gyokeres returned to action after a four-game absence on Sunday and will be hopeful oy reclaiming his place in the side ahead of Mikel Merino who has deputised admirably in his place.
But the fitness of Arsenal’s other forward option in Kai Havertz remains a mystery. The Germany international has not featured since the opening weekend of the season, undergoing what the club described as ‘minor’ knee surgery in August.
Arteta suggested he could be available again after the November international break for the north London derby with Chelsea last weekend mentioned as another possible return date.
But Havertz is still ‘weeks away’ from a return, according to Arteta.
Elsewhere, the Arsenal boss has welcomed Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli back from injury in recent weeks and has ample opportunity to rotate his squad tonight.
Odegaard will be hoping to come into the starting XI today with Eberechi Eze getting through plenty of minutes since the end of the November international break.
Should things go to plan against the Bees, Arteta may also be eager to give Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka a lighter evening with a difficult trip to in-form Aston Villa looming on Saturday.
Arsenal vs Brentford kicks off at 7:30pm on Wednesday 3 December.
You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE matchday blog.