Why is Wesley Fofana not playing for Chelsea vs. Arsenal?

Jason Sargent Sunday, March 1, 2026

Seth Vertelney, USA TODAYSun, March 1, 2026 at 12:01 PM UTC

Chelsea will face Arsenal in a crucial match on Sunday, March 1 without key defender Wesley Fofana.

The French center back will be serving a one-game suspension after he was sent off in last weekend's 1-1 draw against Burnley.

Already carrying a yellow card, Fofana lunged in for a dangerous tackle on Burnley midfielder James Ward-Prowse in the 71st minute at Stamford Bridge. The 25-year-old was shown a second yellow card, reducing Chelsea to 10 men.

That red card would prove costly, as Burnley grabbed a late equalizer through Zian Flemming to earn an unlikely 1-1 draw.

In the aftermath of his sending-off, Fofana revealed that he had been racially abused on social media.

“It was obviously a tough day for Wes, firstly what happened in the game and then the fall-out, the racist abuse he got online. Wes is a tough guy, a good guy," Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior said at his pre-game press conference.

Last weekend's draw left Chelsea in fifth place as it travels to north London for a match against league-leading Arsenal.

Fofana has made 26 total appearances this season under Rosenior and Enzo Maresca.

With Fofana out, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo will be the favorites to start at the Emirates Stadium.

Jorrel Hato, Mamadou Sarr, Josh Acheampong and Benoît Badiashile are also options for Rosenior.