Chelsea are set to make do without Mateo Kovacic for Wednesday's Premier League London derby with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

The Croatia international was taken off with an ankle injury in the first half of his side's FA Cup semi-final win over Crystal Palace, and Thomas Tuchel has admitted that the issue did not look good.

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell are keeping Kovacic company in the medical bay, while Ross Barkley has been ill but could very well have been left out of the squad to face Palace for tactical reasons.

Thiago Silva found himself among the substitutes at Wembley, but the 37-year-old could now take the spot of Andreas Christensen in the backline with Reece James and Antonio Rudiger.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso ought to hold their spots in the wide areas, while Kovacic's absence opens the door for N'Golo Kante to slot straight back into the engine room.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has given Tuchel food for thought with his stunning strike against Palace, but Kante will expect to be partnered by Jorginho against the Gunners.

Mason Mount and Timo Werner could both be fit enough to hold their places in the final third, but Kai Havertz is in line for a rest and may be granted it here, with Romelu Lukaku terrorizing the Arsenal backline at the Emirates earlier this season.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Mendy; James, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount, Werner; Lukaku

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