Chelsea and Arsenal suffer injury blows in defense with Reece James and Sokratis ruled out of London derby – c – talkSPORT.com, TalkSport

Chelsea and Arsenal have both suffered late fitness blows ahead of the London derby at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Blues defender Reece James has not passed a late fitness test after sustaining a knee injury during the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, while Gunners defender Sokratis has failed to overcome illness.

Getty Images – Getty

Emerson Palmieri returns to the Chelsea starting XI , with Cesar Azpilicueta moving back over to his natural position on the right.

Shkodran Mustafi comes in for Arsenal to feature alongside David Luiz on the Brazilian’s return to Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal will also once again be without suspended captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the short trip across London.

The striker will serve the second of a three-match ban for his sending-off at Crystal Palace and Gabriel Martinelli continues in his place.

Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic returns to the Chelsea midfield in place of Mason Mount following two consecutive games on the bench.

Confirmed XIs

Chelsea : Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Willian.

Subs : Caballero, Alonso, Barkley, Mount, Pedro, Zouma, Batshuayi.

Arsenal

: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka, Xhaka, Torreira, Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli, Lacazette.

Subs : Martinez, Ceballos, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Willock, Guendouzi, Nketiah.