Chelsea vs Arsenal: Willian and Pedro ruled out of Gunners clash

Chelsea attackers Willian and Pedro Rodriguez are out of the Premier League visit of Arsenal, manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed. Willian limped off during the 4-0 Champions League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv while Pedro missed the game through injury.

Willian had given the Blues the lead from a free-kick in their European opener, but limped off after 23 minutes with a unconfirmed muscular injury, and replaced by Diego Costa. Oscar netted a penalty in first half stoppage time before Costa and Cesc Fabregas scored in the second half to put the cherry on the club's second win of the season.

Victory came as weekend opponents Arsenal were defeated in their first Champions League group game against Dynamo Zagreb. However, the gloss was taken off Chelsea's return to form following confirmation of a double injury blow for the visit of Arsene Wenger's men.

"I think he played very well which is very good for us," the Chelsea boss told a post-match press conference. "I think he is condition to compete with other players for the opportunity. He is having minutes, he played in the Premier League already, now in the Champions League. He is potentially a very good player but you have to fit the right players and choose the right moment. His evolution is important.

"I don't know tomorrow I will start thinking about it. Everything was on Maccabi, everything was on this game. Tomorrow I will watch Arsenal and I will understand how our players are. How is Oscar, Willian is out for sure, Pedro is out for sure. Players had good performances. It is a muscular injury [for Willian].

The comfortable win for Chelsea over the Israeli Premier League champions came after Eden Hazard missed an early penalty and Mourinho heaped extra praise on his side, after they overcame early adversity to claim victory. "I forgot the feeling [of winning] for so long for so long," he added. "It's so good it's a good feeling. The penalty we missed was a big test for us because when everything goes against you, red cards, decisions, injuries, and you start the game as we have to win and you miss a penalty it is great test the character of the players and the team. It was good to have an extra penalty and the reaction was very good."