Arsenal have received a boost ahead of Sunderland’s trip to the Emirates with the news that defender Kieran Gibbs will be fit to return, while Theo Walcott and Laurent Koscielny are also in contention.
There are reports that Walcott and Koscielny could feature, but both will face a late fitness test prior to the game.
Walcott has spent almost two months on the sidelines after picking up a calf injury in Arsenal’s 3-0 Capital One Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday back in October, leaving Olivier Giroud as the club’s only fit striker with Danny Welbeck yet to feature this season.
Despite being in fourth place and without a win in three games, Arsenal could still go top of the Premier League with a victory, as table toppers Manchester City are just two points ahead of the North Londoners.
Chelsea Boosted By Return Of Courtois
Jose Mourinho is also pleased to welcome back goalkeeper Courtois, after knee surgery and is set to be involved when Eddie Howe’s men visit Stamford Bridge.
“We feel better, we feel safe,” the Chelsea manager said about the Belgian’s return. “He was our goalkeeper all last season and was fundamental for us.”
But Mourinho will be without John Terry (ankle), Ramires and Radamel Falcao (muscular injuries) while striker Loic Remy is available again after missing last week’s 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur,
Hazard stated his confidence that Chelsea can kick on during the hectic match schedule in December.
Aguero And Toure Out For Stoke Trip
Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure are among seven players to have been ruled out of Manchester City’s trip to Stoke City on Saturday lunchtime.
It had been hoped that Aguero would be available for the trip to the Britannia Stadium, where they have only won one of their last seven league matches, but the striker has been ruled out with the heel injury he suffered against Southampton last weekend.
And Toure also misses out after picking up a muscle problem. He joins Captain Vincent Kompany, Samir Nasri, Patrick Roberts and Pablo Zabaleta on the sidelines, while Eliaquim Mangala is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card on Matchweek 14.
Premier League Week 15 Fixtures
Saturday 5 December 2015
12:45 Stoke v Man City Britannia Stadium
15:00 Arsenal v Sunderland Emirates Stadium
15:00 Man Utd v West Ham Old Trafford
15:00 Southampton v Aston Villa St. Mary’s Stadium
15:00 Swansea v Leicester Liberty Stadium
15:00 Watford v Norwich Vicarage Road
15:00 West Brom v Spurs The Hawthorns
17:30 Chelsea v Bournemouth Stamford Bridge
Sunday 6 December 2015
16:00 Newcastle v Liverpool St. James’ Park
Monday 7 December 2015
20:00 Everton v Crystal Palace