Caicedo’s Arsenal involvement rests on Chelsea’s final session

Xabi Alonso has confirmed Moises Caicedo could be involved for Chelsea’s trip to Arsenal on Sunday, but the Ecuadorian midfielder still needs to get through a late fitness test before the Emirates Stadium clash.

Alonso confirms Caicedo faces late fitness test

Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Friday afternoon, Alonso said Chelsea will check on Caicedo’s condition in the final training session before naming his squad. “We will check tomorrow. Tomorrow is the last session for the squad on Sunday,” the Chelsea boss said, adding that the club would make its final decision on the Arsenal team news the following day.

Caicedo picked up the issue last weekend against Brighton, coming on for Romeo Lavia in the second half only to be helped off by medical staff 13 minutes later. Alonso later suggested the 24-year-old had aggravated a previous problem, a detail Chelsea’s official site touched on in the aftermath of that win.

Caicedo had been carrying a knock into the Brighton fixture and was introduced after the Seagulls cut Chelsea’s lead to one goal with half an hour left to play. He looked devastated as he trudged straight down the tunnel, and Alonso was keen not to overstate the situation when pressed again on it Friday. “We need to not worry about the things that happen. We will make the final decision tomorrow,” he said, a line echoed in The Athletic’s own reporting on the situation.

Caicedo’s availability matters more than usual right now. With Enzo Fernandez gone to Manchester City, Alonso named just four senior midfielders by trade at his disposal: Caicedo, Lavia, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson, though Reece James and Malo Gusto have both featured centrally before. Alonso insisted there’s enough there regardless. “We have options, quality and competitiveness,” he said of the group.

For now, nothing is confirmed either way. Chelsea’s final session before Sunday is the next checkpoint, and only then will Alonso decide whether Caicedo is fit enough to be involved at the Emirates.

In other news…

Get the latest on how Chelsea’s team news is shaping up for Arsenal as Alonso weighs his options.

Catch up on the fallout from Enzo Fernandez’s deadline day move to Manchester City and what it means for Chelsea’s midfield.

Read our latest injury update on Cole Palmer and Estevao as Chelsea manage a busy fixture list.