Arsenal Women could face Chelsea without Keira Walsh after the England midfielder was forced off during Wednesday night’s Champions League victory over Austria Wien.
Walsh captained Sonia Bompastor’s side at Plough Lane but lasted only around 20 minutes before being replaced by Lexi Potter.
Chelsea went on to win 1-0 through Wieke Kaptein’s spectacular first-half strike.
However, Walsh’s early departure immediately creates a selection concern ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Keira Walsh injury concern emerges before Arsenal clash
Walsh was forced off injured in the opening stages, with Sky Sports highlighting her fitness as Chelsea’s major concerncoming out of the Champions League victory.
There has not yet been confirmation of the nature or severity of the problem.
That means Arsenal cannot assume Walsh will miss Sunday’s fixture, but her condition will now be one of the key pieces of Chelsea team news to monitor.
The London rivals meet at Stamford Bridge at 4.30pm BST, with our Chelsea vs Arsenal Women TV guide containing the full broadcast and live-stream details.
Walsh has been a central figure in Bompastor’s midfield and started Chelsea’s European opener alongside Sjoeke Nüsken and Kaptein.
Her absence would therefore force Chelsea into another midfield decision for one of their biggest domestic fixtures of the season.
Arsenal already preparing for major Chelsea test
Renée Slegers’ side travel across London unbeaten in the Women’s Super League but needing to improve after successive draws against Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
Arsenal then needed a stoppage-time Mariona Caldentey penalty to beat HB Køge 1-0 in their Champions League opener.
Those performances have exposed issues Slegers must resolve before facing the champions.
Our analysis of three Arsenal problems that must be fixed before Chelsea highlighted attacking efficiency and vulnerability in transition among the biggest concerns.
Walsh’s fitness could now alter Chelsea’s own preparations.
Her ability to control possession and dictate the tempo gives Bompastor an important presence at the base of midfield, particularly against an Arsenal side likely to want significant spells on the ball.
Chelsea have several alternatives if she is unavailable, but Walsh would still represent a significant absence.
For now, the situation remains uncertain rather than a confirmed boost for Arsenal.
The next update on Walsh’s condition should provide a clearer indication of whether she can feature when the two sides meet on Sunday.
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