Trevoh Chalobah has been rewarded for his impressive form under Graham Potter with a new deal that will keep him at Chelsea until at least 2028.

The 23-year-old has become an important player since Potter took over from Thomas Tuchel in September, featuring in 12 out of the former Brighton and Hove Albion manager's 14 games at the helm.

Chalobah has made 43 appearances in total for the Blues, is now committed to the Blues until at least June 2028, with a club option to extend to 2029.

The defender, who has been with Chelsea since the age of nine, said: "I'm over the moon to sign this contract. It's been an honour every time I put the shirt on. I want to give my all and do anything for this club.

"As everyone knows I've been here from a young age and to continue here is every kid's dream. Whenever I get the chance, I'll give my all for the club and look for the future ahead."

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said: "We're delighted that Trevoh will be extending his stay with Chelsea.

"He has been with us since childhood and has grown into an exceptional young player.

"He's an important part of our men's first team squad and we're excited to see what's next for Trevoh at Chelsea."

Chelsea have reunited Graham Potter with his former Brighton and Hove Albion head of recruitment in a move designed to guide the club's future transfer dealings.

Paul Winstanley worked closely with head coach Potter at Brighton and becomes Chelsea's director of global talent and transfers.

He spent eight years at Brighton, having joined from Derby County, and played a prominent role in assembling the talent that has propelled the Seagulls into the Premier League and kept them among the elite.

Potter left for Chelsea in September, and Winstanley arrives at a point where results have taken a nosedive, with Chelsea losing their last three Premier League matches.

There could be scope for transfer movement in January, but this appointment has been made with a long-term view.

Winstanley said on Chelsea's website: "I'm thrilled to be joining Chelsea and to continue working with Graham Potter and his team.

"There is a real sense of excitement and momentum around the new ownership and this project. I'm looking forward to working with such an outstanding group of colleagues as the club moves into a new era."

Chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said: "Paul is going to be a great addition to Chelsea.

"He's highly respected and is a key senior addition as we continue to build a world-class sporting team with a huge depth of talent, ambition and commitment who will work closely with us to drive Chelsea forward.

"Paul shares our philosophy and will fit seamlessly into the organisation."

Potter's Chelsea side sit eight points adrift of the Premier League's top four going into the World Cup break, albeit with a game in hand over fourth-placed Tottenham. They are level on 21 points with Brighton.

Kalidou Koulibaly implored Chelsea players "to look each other in the eye" with the Blues players the only "culprits" for the increasing pressure on Graham Potter.

Head coach Potter became the first Blues manager since Jose Mourinho in 2015 to lose three consecutive Premier League matches following a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

The tepid nature of the Chelsea showing offered more reason for concern after the Blues managed just seven touches in the opposition box, their lowest since January against Manchester City.

With Potter's side eight points adrift of the Premier League's top four, albeit with a game in hand over fourth-placed Tottenham, Koulibaly urged his team-mates to take responsibility for their recent form.

"It hurts, we came here to take three points,'' the Senegal international told Canal Plus.

''We knew that they were in a good moment, that they are putting on the intensity and that especially at home they have their audience behind them. 

"Today, Chelsea are not in their place and the only culprits are us. So we must look each other in the eye and continue to work to put Chelsea in their place.''

The World Cup break could come at a good time for Chelsea as the Premier League pauses, with the Blues not in action again until a home clash with Bournemouth on December 27.

Koulibaly will head to the Middle East with Senegal, who are in Group A alongside hosts Qatar, Ecuador and the Netherlands, though he hopes Chelsea can atone for their mistakes after the break.

He added: ''The break comes at a good time for us, we need to recharge the batteries, think about something else and come back after the World Cup with a different mentality."

Graham Potter felt Chelsea lacked the quality to get themselves back in the game against Newcastle United.

Chelsea managed just two shots on target as Joe Willock's stunner earned Newcastle all three points in a 1-0 win at St James' Park on Saturday.

The closest Potter's side came was Conor Gallagher forcing a decent stop from Nick Pope, with their 17 goals in 14 Premier League this term their fewest at this stage of a season since 2015-16, when they went on to finish 10th.

Potter becomes the first Chelsea manager to lose three straight league matches since Jose Mourinho in 2015, and the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss was frustrated with his team's attacking display.

"There were too many errors," Potter told Sky Sports. "We had the quality to play through but lacked that last bit.

"Newcastle are very confident. We got back into it a bit second half with Conor's effort but then they scored. They put you under pressure with high intensity.

"We tried but in the end lacked the quality to get the goal we needed. We need to do more to come away to say we deserved anything."

Potter responded to Willock's goal by using his three remaining substitutions, bringing on Hakim Ziyech, Marc Cucurella and Kai Havertz.

Potter felt these changes were needed and that they did have a positive impact, even in defeat, adding: "We had to make the change in the second half as they were overrunning us.

"We needed an extra man in midfield. We responded quite well. As soon as we are 1-0 down it is about fresh legs.

"It was a tight game, [with] not many chances. This is a tough place to come. It is not nice for us. We are in a bad moment."

This string of losses has come in the final three league games before the Premier League pauses for the World Cup.

Potter will use the break to take stock of his opening months in the job, explaining: "There won't be many of us. A lot of the guys go away, but those that remain will work and go again.

"We have had a tough period and there have been a lot of positives but also some negatives. Sometimes you have to accept the struggles you have.

"It is about regrouping and starting again. It is the second half of the season and there is a long way to go."

Joe Willock's sensational strike was enough to earn Newcastle United a 1-0 victory over Chelsea, sending Eddie Howe's side back up to third in the Premier League.

Willock curled a wonderful first-time finish into the top-right corner to break the deadlock in the 67th minute of Saturday's encounter at St James' Park.

Newcastle had needed Nick Pope to be on top form prior to Willock's moment of magic – the goalkeeper denying England team-mate Conor Gallagher.

Tempers boiled over at the end, though while Chelsea will have to lick their wounds after a third straight league loss, Newcastle claimed another statement victory.

In-form Miguel Almiron skied an early volley over the bar in a first half devoid of clear-cut chances that Newcastle slightly shaded.

Armando Broja registered the only shot on target by either side in the opening 45 minutes by, but his tame effort was saved comfortably by Nick Pope.

Newcastle fans screamed for a penalty in injury time when the ball struck Trevoh Chalobah's arm, but referee Robert Jones dismissed those protests.

The hosts started the second half with renewed vigour – Edouard Mendy denying Sean Longstaff, who fired over from a second chance a few moments later.

Newcastle needed their goalkeeper in the 65th minute, though, with Pope brilliantly tipping Gallagher's shot wide.

Willock made Pope's excellence count, curling home past a despairing Mendy after great work from Almiron on the edge of Chelsea's box.

Kai Havertz went close to nudging in an equaliser, but Chelsea's attempts proved fruitless as their poor form under Graham Potter continued.

For Newcastle United and Chelsea, their respective outlooks heading into the final fixture before the World Cup couldn't be much more different.

While Eddie Howe's side are enjoying a brilliant season that at this point looks set to end with a European spot at the very least, Chelsea have endured a difficult few weeks and are on the slide.

Essentially, the World Cup break comes at the worst possible moment for Newcastle, but for Chelsea it's perfectly timed as it can potentially act as a circuit-breaker.

Nevertheless, there's still time for Chelsea to improve their collective mood heading into the break – though Saturday's trip to St James' Park is going to be a real test.

Newcastle a different beast

In the world of football, people love to look back for omens. Chelsea and their fans might be able to trick themselves into some confidence if they reflect on the club's record against Newcastle.

The Blues have won three of their past four Premier League away games against the Magpies – if they rack up another, they'll make it three victories in a row at St James' Park for the first time since 1958.

Similarly, Chelsea have won seven of their previous eight league games against Newcastle (L1), including the past four in a row without conceding.

But this Newcastle is obviously a rather different proposition. They'll be playing a Premier League game after starting the day in the top three for the first time since November 2011, and it'll be the first time they've faced Chelsea while above them in the table in 12 and a half years.

Newcastle also head into the game knowing a win will see them tally five top-flight triumphs in a row for the first time in eight years. 

Chelsea have the blues

Graham Potter made history after going unbeaten in his first nine games at the Chelsea helm, but since then they've lost three out of four matches.

Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the EFL Cup third round was hardly a major shock, but it'll have done little to improve their state of mind after the team's confidence took a battering – literally and figuratively – in the 4-1 defeat to Potter's former side Brighton and Hove Albion and a 1-0 reverse at home to Arsenal.

The latter two were both in the league and were only separated by a slender Champions League victory over Dinamo Zagreb, meaning defeat on Saturday would see them lose three top-flight games in a row for the first time since November 2015 when Jose Mourinho was in charge.

Shot-shy Chelsea

Part of Chelsea's problem has been their struggles in front of goal, which perhaps shouldn't be seen as hugely shocking given they let two strikers in Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku leave in pre-season.

Only five clubs have had fewer shots in the Premier League this term than Chelsea (151), with their average of 11.6 shots per game their lowest on record in a single campaign (since 1997-98).

By comparison, their hosts are having no such issues.

Only Liverpool and Manchester City have had more shots than Newcastle (208), with their average of 14.9 attempts per game their highest since 2013-14 (15.2).

Chelsea do at least have two players who've enjoyed facing Newcastle in the past. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been involved in nine goals in as many meetings with them in all competitions, his best return against one team in English football, while Raheem Sterling has recorded six goal involvements in his past six league games against the Magpies.

However, neither could be considered in a rich vein of form – that's certainly not something you could say about Newcastle's Miguel Almiron.

Almiron's on fire

Almiron's turnaround at Newcastle has genuinely been quite heart-warming, particularly against the backdrop of those disparaging comments made by Jack Grealish earlier this year.

The Paraguayan has been utterly lethal for Newcastle this season, and his form received the recognition it deserved on Friday when he was announced as the Premier League's Player of the Month for October.

But his excellence hasn't just been localised to October. Almiron has eight goals in 14 Premier League games this term, just one fewer than he managed in his first 110 in the competition combined.

Clearly, though, he's really found his groove in the past few weeks, as a goal against Chelsea will see him become the first player to net in five successive league games for the club since Joe Willock's remarkable run of seven at the end of the 2020-21 season.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter believes Reece James and Ben Chilwell will react well to the disappointment of missing out on England's squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

James sustained a knee injury in a Champions League game against Milan last month, and an estimated eight-week timescale for his recovery immediately threw his World Cup hopes into doubt.

The right-back initially vowed to do everything in his power to feature, but Gareth Southgate said there were simply "too many unknowns" concerning James' recovery as he left him out of the Three Lions' 26-man squad.

Fellow Blues full-back Chilwell will also miss the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury, and while Potter says the duo are understandably down, he believes they will bounce back.

"It's a natural reaction, they're disappointed. Reece thought he would be close and did everything he could to give himself a chance, but in the end, he fell a little bit short," Potter said on Friday.

"Obviously, I can understand the decision and understand Reece's frustration and disappointment. We just have to focus on the rehab on try to get them back as soon as we can.

"It's normal, World Cups don't come around very often and to miss them is disappointing, but they're strong characters. They'll be fine."

After Saturday's trip to Newcastle United, Chelsea are not in action until they face Bournemouth in the Premier League on December 27 – having been eliminated from the EFL Cup in midweek – and Potter hopes to use that break to nurse his injured stars back to fitness.

"If you're going to look at the positives, it's a time to do the rehab as thoroughly as possible without a timescale hanging over them," Potter said. "Hopefully, we have them when we restart and they're fit, strong and well.

"I wouldn't say I'm really looking forward to it, but we have to use it as what it is, and it's an opportunity to take stock.

"It's been incredibly intense, we've learned a lot. It's a chance to reflect. It would be stupid of me not to use that time to rejuvenate, to recover and to improve."

Midfielder Conor Gallagher was included in England's squad after making 17 appearances for Chelsea this season, and Potter believes he deserves it after breaking into the Blues' first team.

Asked if Gallagher's selection was a surprise, Potter said: "It's not something I really gave too much thought, to be honest; it's just nice for us and great for Conor. He's going to have a really positive experience, I think. 

"He's worked really hard, and he's a fantastic person, so it's nice. It's a fantastic honour for him, everyone is really pleased. 

"It's a nice story, he's been out on loan and come through the club, so to get the chance to play at the World Cup is great news for him."

Chelsea manager Graham Potter believes Wednesday's 2-0 EFL Cup loss to Manchester City was a "step forward" for the Blues despite suffering their third defeat from their past four games.

The Blues have only won two of their past seven games under Potter, who replaced Thomas Tuchel in September, amid a poor run of form.

Potter made seven changes to his starting line-up from the side that went down 1-0 to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday but was enthused albeit disappointed by the defeat.

"I thought there were quite a few positives," Potter told reporters. "Obviously, we’re disappointed with the result but in terms of how we played, we created some good chances, there was a better structure and performance level.

"The team looked closer to what we want it to look like [compared to Arsenal]. The boys had great courage and they tried against a top team.

"Their goalkeeper got man of the match and I think that tells a little bit of the story. But overall, I think it was a step forward for us."

Potter's side go to third-placed Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday in their final game before the World Cup break. Chelsea are winless in four league games.

"We're concerned when we don’t get the results we want," Potter said. "Our performances have not been what we want either in the last couple of games. Tonight was a big step in terms of how we want to play, and we can get confidence from that.

"It’s a big game at Newcastle, 5.30 on the TV, it'll be a fantastic atmosphere. They’re doing really well, so it’ll be a tough game, but we have to try and go there and get the three points."

Potter was impressed with 18-year-old midfielder Lewis Hall, after the England youth international earned his second career start for the Blues.

Hall played 75 minutes and had a good chance saved by City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega late in the first half in an energetic display.

"I really enjoyed his performance," Potter said. "He took responsibility, took the ball in tight areas, attacked the box, and could’ve scored a couple of goals on another day.

"It was a really nice performance, a mature performance I thought. He is a quiet lad but goes about his work. I've been really impressed with him."

Graham Potter is one of the best coaches in the Premier League, and Chelsea will be rewarded for sticking with him, according to Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea face Guardiola's Manchester City in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday – a task Potter is unlikely to relish given recent results.

After a nine-match unbeaten run to start his Stamford Bridge reign, Potter lost 4-1 at former club Brighton and Hove Albion last month.

A narrow defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday was a second in a row domestically, and pressure is already building on the coach.

But Guardiola thinks highly of his opposite number, and he said ahead of their meeting: "I'm not the right person to say that because it's not my business. But if Chelsea accepts my humble advice, with no intention, give him time and he will do well."

The City boss added: "I have a lot of admiration for his work. What he did at Brighton is beyond exceptional, and I'm pretty sure with time he will do a good job.

"I don't have any doubts about this. It's the same with Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton.

"When they start losing games, it's a question of time. If they are patient, he will have an impact in England and he will have it as Graham has done in this country.

"He's one of the best managers, from my point of view, we have in this league."

Guardiola will encounter another man under pressure on Wednesday as former City star Raheem Sterling returns to the Etihad Stadium with Chelsea.

Sterling scored against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last week, but that was only his fifth goal for Chelsea. He netted 17 for City last season.

"No, no, I cannot judge," Guardiola said. "In the case of Oleks [Zinchenko], Gabi [Jesus] and Raheem, I want the best.

"So, my gratitude to all of them, especially these guys, is immense, immense for what they have done for this club. Just hats off.

"Thank you so much, and I wish him all the best and, hopefully, he's happy there.

"I definitely hope [Sterling gets a good reception]. I always like clubs when they welcome the guys who had been here many years and have been key figures and important roles in our team in all these years.

"Because maybe you forget what happened in the last month, but that is not a reality [of] what happened in a period of six, seven years he was here.

"He deserves it, of course. The same is going to happen with Gabi. When the game starts, of course, you want to beat them. But I think in England, people appreciate that."

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter thinks it is unfair for Raheem Sterling to be the focus of criticism when the whole team is failing to match expectations.

The Blues had enjoyed a solid start to Potter's tenure in charge, going unbeaten in his first nine matches, but a chastening 4-1 defeat away to his former club Brighton and Hove Albion saw the honeymoon period end in abrupt fashion.

A slender 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb followed in the Champions League, but Arsenal inflicted a second successive Premier League loss on Chelsea at the weekend as they left Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 victory.

Chelsea's performance in that London derby was desperately underwhelming, but Potter does not want one player taking the brunt of criticism, with Sterling – who struggled against the Gunners – coming in for a lot amid a muted start to life at the club that has some questioning his England future.

When Sterling's admission that he needs to offer more was brought up at Potter's pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's third-round EFL Cup trip to Manchester City, he said: "You can tell by his reaction, he's honest.

"Players go through moments in their career where it isn't so positive and sometimes they go through periods where everything they touch is gold, so to speak.

"I don't think you can zoom in on the individual; the team isn't functioning as well as we'd like. That has an impact on the individuals, and Raheem's part of the team, so the work is for us to improve the team, improve the structures.

"I've no doubt about Raheem's quality, ability. He's a proven top, top player."

Throughout his career to date, Potter has been praised for an ability to get the most out of his players, nurturing them to help them find a level they had not been to before.

This coaching was particularly seen at Brighton, where the club established something of a habit of signing players relatively cheaply and developing them into valuable assets.

Potter feels he has been working a similar way ever since joining Chelsea, but he was eager to point out that a significant overhaul in such a short period of time can take some adjusting to for everyone.

"You have to do that constantly," he continued. "That's what the job entails, not just for [Sterling], for lots of players because like I said, it's been a tough period.

"There's lots of things happening, change, new faces everywhere, trying to get it all to gel and settle down, and trying to develop a new playing style.

"As you can see, we've a lot of work to do, but that's why we came here, to produce a top team. There's a long way to go, but it's exciting."

Potter's excitement about the future at Chelsea certainly does not appear to have been tempered by their recent woes, and he puts that down to never kidding himself that it was always going to go well.

"I'd be lying if I said to you I didn't expect it at some point," Potter added. "When you take this job and challenge on, of course there will be times when it isn't a pleasant road.

"You have to deal with that, be honest. That's my responsibility, to take that on. We'll have a had six-week period in the end where we've had 13 matches, eight of them away.

"It takes a toll on everything. We've had injuries to key players, it can get messy, it's part of the process. I've been through it before, so it is what it is, that's part of what the job is to deal with it.

"I don't think you can ever predict football. When results were good, I was honest enough to say we still have a lot of things to improve.

"It wasn't as if we were sitting there thinking we've cracked football, by any means. Performance wise we can improve a lot. It's exciting, but that's the challenge."

Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic is excited by the prospect of facing former BVB heroes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic after they drew Chelsea in the Champions League.

Dortmund finished second to Manchester City in Group G of the Champions League, and were subsequently handed a tie against Graham Potter's Blues in Monday's last-16 draw.

The first leg – set for February 15 at Signal Iduna Park – will see Aubameyang and Pulisic return to their old club, for whom the Gabon striker scored 98 Bundesliga goals in a prolific five-year stint.

Asked about the draw at a press conference on Monday, Terzic said: "With Chelsea, a top team from England awaits us.

"With Aubameyang and Pulisic, they have players that were with us up until a few years ago.

"I am also close friends with the coach Graham Potter. I'm looking forward to seeing him again. But we won't play them now, but in February. 

"Until then, there is a lot to do, so much homework to do, but we definitely look forward to those games. 

"Attractive opponents like this are what we expect from the Champions League, and we will try to progress to the next round."

Meanwhile, Chelsea's director of football operations David Barnard is relieved they will not be facing former Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, who has made a flying start to life in England with Manchester City.

"We're looking forward to playing Dortmund because this will be the first time that we've come across them in the Champions League, it will be interesting from that point of view," he said. 

"They played in the City group, as you know, and hopefully we'll get some inside knowledge from City on this particular one. At least Haaland is not playing for Dortmund on this occasion.

"We've obviously got Pierre going back to one of his old clubs, so we are looking forward to it."

Chelsea are at a different stage of their development to Arsenal, claimed Graham Potter after the Blues' defeat to the Gunners at Stamford Bridge.

Gabriel Magalhaes bundled home for Arsenal shortly after the hour on Sunday to seal a 1-0 win that sent Mikel Arteta's side back to the top of the Premier League.

It means Chelsea are now without a win in four league matches, while they have lost back-to-back top-flight games for the first time since December 2020.

Chelsea sit seventh, 13 points behind Arsenal, with just one league game remaining prior to the World Cup.

For Potter, who took over from Thomas Tuchel in September, Sunday's result was merely evidence of the work Chelsea have ahead of them.

He told BT Sport: "We're playing against a team in a really good moment, a confident team, but the boys gave everything.

"It was a huffing and puffing performance from us without the quality we really need, over the course of the game not too many complaints with the result.

"Don't think it was a lack of urgency, have to look at where the two teams were at. Arsenal have good confidence, they've been working together for a long time, a good understanding of what they're trying to do.

"We're probably at a different phase. We probably tried to make the game a bit more of a London derby, and maybe that's why we lacked a bit of quality. The effort was there, we were beaten by the better team.

"It's an indication of where we have to work, where the process is and where we have to do better, that's where we're at."

It was a particularly frustrating day for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who endured a miserable reunion with his old side.

Aubameyang had just eight touches in his 64 minutes on the pitch, managing only one shot, which was blocked.

Potter, however, refused to pin the blame on any individual, saying: "I think it's part of the team, we didn't function as fluently as we would like.

"There's always two teams on the pitch, you have to understand where they're at, they come with good players and a good structure, Mikel's done a good job there, so you can see the points they have, they're in a good place and we're slightly different.

"You can have those moments in a season, what's important is we understand where we're at, what we have to do better and then execute it."

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal would "focus on ourselves" ahead of kick-off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, when asked how his team planned to handle Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Striker Aubameyang spent four years at Emirates Stadium, before his time at the club ended with him being shuffled off to Barcelona in February.

Having propelled Arsenal to FA Cup success in Arteta's first half-season at the helm in 2020, club captain Aubameyang was rewarded with a new contract. Yet the following campaign brought just 14 goals and, by December last year, Aubameyang was out of the picture having fallen out with, and out of the favour of, Arsenal's manager.

After his short-lived, but successful, spell at Barcelona, Aubameyang is back in the Premier League with Chelsea, and the focus ahead of Sunday's London derby was on how he would match up against his old club.

Sixty-four minutes, eight touches, five completed passes and just one shot, which was blocked, later, we had our answer – Aubameyang subbed off by Graham Potter, a minute after Arsenal had taken the lead thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes' goal, with the Gunners holding out to return to the Premier League's summit.

Auba's dismal reunion embodies toothless Chelsea display

Arsenal have found Stamford Bridge a happy hunting ground in recent seasons. They are unbeaten at Chelsea in the top flight since December 2018, and have won on their last three league trips to the home of their London rivals.

They triumphed 4-2 in the corresponding match last term, which was the last time Chelsea had lost on home turf, but the Blues were by far second-best on Sunday.

Chelsea, beaten 4-1 by Potter's former side Brighton and Hove Albion last week, managed just five attempts at goal, their fewest in a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge since September last year, in a loss to Manchester City.

Aubameyang scored 68 goals in 128 Premier League games for Arsenal, including one against the Blues in December 2019, but he never threatened to become just the second player to score for both sides in this fixture in the Premier League (excluding own goals), after Cesc Fabregas.

His performance summed up Chelsea's blunt attack, with Mason Mount managing only one attempt and creating just one chance, while Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling also struggled.

Arsenal, in contrast, had 14 shots, and while only two hit the target, they did what title contenders do and ground out a big result.

Jesus setting the tone

Gabriel Jesus was brought in to fill the void left by Aubameyang, and where Chelsea's 33-year-old centre forward floundered, the Brazil international excelled at the other end.

Jesus might not have scored in the league since the start of October, yet the 25-year-old's influence cannot be ignored.

He had three shots, as many as Chelsea's starting front four combined, and 62 touches. Only defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva (71 and 69) had more on Chelsea's team.

Jesus' 26 duels led the match, with no player competing for more aerials (six). A combative display saw the Arsenal number nine concede a joint-game-high three fouls, but he also won four, more than any other player on the pitch, while only Bukayo Saka (three) created more chances than the ex-Manchester City striker.

Arsenal, the real deal after all?

Chelsea did not lose back-to-back Premier League games at all under Potter's predecessor Thomas Tuchel, but the Blues are now without a win in four top-flight matches.

While Chelsea are undoubtedly struggling to click into gear, take nothing away from Arsenal. This team are purring, and Blues owner Todd Boehly should look to the Gunners' example of sticking with a young coach, with a defined project, as to just what can happen with sustained support.

City's late winner against Fulham on Saturday could have dealt Arsenal's confidence a blow, but instead they made another statement of intent.

"From the start until the end, we deserved to win, we were the much, much better team," Granit Xhaka rightly said in his post-match interview with BT Sport.

"We are so happy, we are doing everything the coach is telling us. These are the results."

Arsenal have won three consecutive Premier League games against fellow 'big six' opposition for the first time since February-April 2012, while the Gunners – on 34 points from their 13 matches – are the first side to win 10 top-flight away games at Chelsea.

They remain the only side to have scored in every top-flight match this term, while no teams have kept more clean sheets than the Gunners (six).

There's one potential complication for Arsenal, of course. The World Cup break is looming, and who knows if this momentum will be here by the time the league resumes in late December.

For now, though, their fans, players and previously much-maligned manager – who marked his 150th game in charge in style – can bask in deserved adulation.

Ben Chilwell is expected to miss England's World Cup campaign after sustaining a "significant" hamstring injury, Chelsea have confirmed.

Chilwell limped out of the Blues' 2-1 Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday, leaving head coach Graham Potter concerned.

Potter said the injury represented a "blow" for Chelsea, adding: "Fingers crossed, when we get it scanned it isn't as bad, it can be not as severe, but clearly we are disappointed."

Chilwell's England team-mate Mason Mount said it was "tough to watch" the left-back suffer the injury less than three weeks before the World Cup gets under way, and Gareth Southgate's fears have been realised with the news that his hamstring problem is "significant".

A statement released by Chelsea on Saturday read: "Following the injury sustained in our recent game against Dinamo Zagreb, Ben has undergone a scan on his hamstring.

"Results show that Ben has suffered a significant injury and the defender is unfortunately expected to miss the World Cup.

"Ben will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club's medical department."

Chilwell's absence for the trip to Qatar deepens a defensive crisis for England, with fellow full-backs Reece James and Kyle Walker doubtful for the tournament.

Southgate only named two recognised left-backs in his squad for the Three Lions' most recent Nations League fixtures in September, and the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kieran Trippier may now be expected to deputise for Manchester United's Luke Shaw.

England begin their Group B campaign against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium on November 21.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter admits every player with World Cup aspirations is in "a tricky position" as domestic football continues just days before teams fly to Qatar.

The Blues are waiting on news of Ben Chilwell's hamstring injury, as he headed for a scan on Friday amid fears the muscle is torn, which would rule him out of England's plans.

Potter understands players have concerns about suffering injuries at such an unfortunate moment, but will demand his squad hold nothing back in Sunday's Premier League meeting with Arsenal.

Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is poised to face his former club, and unlike many of his team-mates does not need to worry about the World Cup, which starts on November 20, having retired from international football within months of Gabon failing to qualify.

Asked about possible fear of World Cup hopefuls getting hurt, Potter said in a press conference: "I don't think it's fear. I just think it's part of the challenge.

"It's very difficult to play Premier League football or Champions League football and go at it half-hearted. That's pretty much impossible. At the same time, there's a World Cup a couple of weeks away, so it's a tricky position for everybody."

Chelsea needed to wait for swelling to reduce before sending left-back Chilwell to be assessed, and Potter did not sound positive about the defender's England prospects.

"We all saw the nature of the injury," Potter said. "I can't say it looks positive, but until we get the scan it's difficult to say. At the moment we're just hopeful and fingers crossed, and from there we see how to get him back fit and strong. It's disappointing, of course."

Aubameyang's exit from Arsenal in February, when he moved to Barcelona, came after an apparent falling-out with head coach Mikel Arteta, as the former Gunners captain lost his first-team place.

After a short stint at Barcelona, Chelsea jumped at the chance to bring Aubameyang back to England, and Potter concurred it would be "an interesting one" for the 33-year-old this weekend.

"I don't think we should make it about him," he added. "I think it's about the team. He's an important part of the team and for us to get the result we want takes everybody, not just one person.

"I understand the interest is about him because it's Arsenal and there's a narrative about that. But as a team and a group we have to do well ourselves."

As for whether Aubameyang has anything to prove to Arsenal, for whom he scored 92 goals across all competitions, Potter suggested not.

"I don't think so. I think he's looking forward to the game, excited for it," Potter said. "He's been pretty normal from what I've seen, he's quite a quiet guy, but I'm sure come matchday he'll be determined."

Potter praised Arsenal's support for Arteta, who came under pressure in the early stages of his tenure, describing the backing the Spaniard has received as "a really good example of how success can come".

Former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Potter is still learning the ropes at Chelsea, but he had success against Arsenal during his time with the Seagulls, winning three of his six Premier League games against the Gunners (D1 L2).

Chelsea will hope that boosts their prospects, given they have lost three of their last four league games against Arsenal, more defeats than they had experienced in their previous 17 in the rivalry.

Moreover, Arsenal have won on their last two league visits to Stamford Bridge, as many victories as they achieved in their previous 16 visits.

League leaders Arsenal have not won three in a row at Stamford Bridge since April 1974, but that could change on Sunday.

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