LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Xabi Alonso manager / head coach of Chelsea during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
It’s back to League Cup action today as Leeds United come to town. As good an opportunity as any to quickly put the Arsenal defeat from Sunday behind us.
Unfortunately one thing we can’t simply put behind us is injuries, namely to Moisés Caicedo, Marco Palestra, Jordan Henderson, and Emmanual Emegha, all of whom will miss out once again. All four are said to be dealing with relatively minor issues, but when those relatively minor issues keep players out for a relatively not-short time, perhaps it’s time to start calling them non-minor issues.
“[Caicedo and Palestra] are still not ready to go. Not the moment to take too early risk. So we go game by game with them and it’s too early. [For the other two,] ask me on Friday.”
-Xabi Alonso; source: Football.London
I guess the question today then is how to keep accounting for their absences, especially of Caicedo and Henderson in the middle of the pitch.