Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexander Lacazette, Willian and Alex Runarsson have all been absent due to coronavirus, Arsenal confirmed.
Head coach Mikel Arteta explained that Aubameyang and Lacazette were not feeling well ahead of the Gunners’ 2-0 loss to the New Boys Brentford to start their Premier League campaign last Friday.
It has now been confirmed that the attacking duo are part of a quartet that missed this game after testing positive for COVID-19, with each player in different stages of their recovery.
Aubameyang, who scored 10 goals in 29 Premier League games last season, is now negative and could be in the running to play against Chelsea on Sunday.
Willian’s situation will be watched ahead of the clash with his former club, but Lacazette and Runarsson have both been excluded from the derby.
Arsenal have also provided injury updates to Gabriel, Eddie Nketiah and Thomas Partey after being beaten by a newly promoted side in their season opener for the first time since 1976-77 against Bristol City.
Partey is expected to resume training in late August after injuring his ankle in the pre-season friendly against Chelsea.
Nketiah, who injured his ankle in the same game as his teammate, will return to training a few weeks later in September, while Gabriel aims to return later this month.
