Chelseas Kepa Arrizabalaga out with foot injury until World Cup

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter does not believe goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will play again before the World Cup due to a foot injury.

Arrizabalaga, 28, sustained the injury during Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, where he had to be withdrawn at half-time.

The Spain international was unavailable for Chelsea’s midweek Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb, with Edouard Mendy regaining his place in goal.

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On Friday, Potter confirmed that Arrizabalaga remains out injured ahead of Sunday’s visit of Arsenal.

“Kepa, no,” Potter said when asked if the goalkeeper was available. “It’s his plantar fascia, the bottom of his foot. I don’t think he’ll play before the World Cup.”

Potter also gave updates on the fitness of Mateo Kovacic and Carney Chukwuemeka.

He added: “Kovacic trained today so he’ll be in contention. Carney, no. He has a slight issue with his hamstring which we’re getting to the bottom of.”

And on Ben Chilwell, who sustained a hamstring injury during the 2-1 win over Zagreb, Potter was unable to provide further clarity on whether the full-back will miss the World Cup with England.

“He’s going to go for a scan later on this afternoon so we’ll find out how he is then, update tomorrow,” Potter said. “He feels okay but is obviously aware of the injury.

“We need to let the swelling settle down, hence the delay with the scan. But we’ll know more after that.

“I wouldn’t say fear the worst. It’s just we all saw the nature of the injury. I can’t say it looks positive. But until we get the scan, it’s difficult to say.”

After the Arsenal match, Chelsea travel to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday before a trip to Newcastle United next Saturday.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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