Chelsea dealt major Romeo Lavia injury scare as Enzo Maresca forced to make Arsenal change

Enzo Maresca was dealt a major injury blow during Chelsea's clash against Arsenal. The Blues boss was forced to substitute Romeo Lavia during the second half following a collision with Jurrien Timber.

In an attempt to prevent the Gunners defender from unleashing a shot, the Chelsea midfielder lunged in to make a tackle. Unfortunately for Lavia, he couldn't stop Timber, who stormed past him before dragging an effort wide of the far post.

After the collision, the 20-year-old went down and he was quickly given medical attention. Determined to get back into the tie, Maresca made a change, replacing Lavia for Enzo Fernandez. The Argentinean had an instant impact, teeing Pedro Neto up for his equaliser.

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Noni Madueke made way for Mykhailo Mudryk too, before Malo Gutso was later replaced by Reece James. Ahead of the London derby at Stamford Bridge, Maresca explained why he controversially dropped the Chelsea skipper.

The Blues boss said: "Reece is fit and we are happy with him. Since he came back he has played all of the Premier League games and today we took a different decision."

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Maresca alluded to reshuffling the pack. He said: "We're always looking for something different, no matter if it's Arsenal or another team, to see how we can attack and defend in the right way.

"We did that this season against any team. For sure, Arsenal is the closest one to the best team in England, that is City. But we’re going to try to do our game, prepare in the best way we can and try to win."

Then, on whether Sunday evening's fixture could be Chelsea's biggest game of the season, Maresca added: "You don't know how worried I was tonight against this team. I try to take all the games in the same way - serious, preparing in the best way, how we can attack good, how we can defend good.

"I try to take all the games in the same way. Tonight, I was very worried because this is the one that it's easy to drop because mentally, you are not ready when you have to be ready. If you ask me, in the next two games, which one do you want to win?

"For sure, I want to win both. But if I have to take one, I take the next one. Also, because in two games, we play Leicester away and I feel very close to them!"