Arsenal dealt blow as muscle injury rules Mesut Ozil out of Chelsea clash

Arsenal will be without one of their chief creative forces for their key clash at Chelsea with Mesut Ozil set to miss out.

The German midfielder sat out the midweek Europa League victory against Cologne, with Arsene Wenger saying ahead of that match that Ozil would be 'rested'.

Sportsmail understands that Ozil will not feature in Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge as he is struggling with a muscle injury.

Arsenal will be without one of their chief creative forces, Mesut Ozil for their key at Chelsea

Arsenal will be without one of their chief creative forces, Mesut Ozil for their key at Chelsea

Arsene Wenger admitted that Ozil and fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey were both doubts

Arsene Wenger admitted that Ozil and fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey were both doubts

On Friday, Wenger admitted that Ozil and fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey were both doubts for Sunday’s clash, although he retained a hope that both would be available.


Alexis Sanchez is unlikely to start but will feature after playing the whole game on Thursday night, where Theo Walcott (calf) hobbled off. Francis Coquelin (hamstring) and Santi Cazorla (ankle) are definitely out. Opponents Chelsea are unlikely to risk Eden Hazard from the start.

Wenger has challenged his players to prove they don't have an inferiority complex against the Premier League big guns. Arsenal have lost seven of their last eight games at Stamford Bridge and the boss 

Wenger challenged his players to prove they don't have an inferiority complex against Chelsea

Wenger challenged his players to prove they don't have an inferiority complex against Chelsea

'It is important that we get a result against a top four rival,' said Wenger.

He continued: 'Nobody would deny that. If you calculate the positions in the top four then, of course, it will be decided by your results against your direct opponents. This is an acid test, of course.

'Basically, in last few years, Chelsea has had great teams so it was always difficult to win there.

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