We are only 11 days away from the new Premier League season kick-off. The maiden game will feature newly-promoted Brentford and Arsenal, who lost their most challenging pre-season tie against Chelsea.The Gunners felt short at Emirates 2-1 thanks to Kai Havertz and Tammy Abraham, with the latter allegedly being Arsenal’s top target in the current transfer window.Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea 🚨London is Blue. pic.twitter.com/cCkfznGIKZ— BLUE🥶 (@RJamesSZN) August 1, 2021 The red and whites only goal came after Granit Xhaka’s header in the second half. Arsenal suffered a worrying injury scare in their 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Chelsea as Thomas Partey limped off in the first half.Thomas Partey was substituted just 39 minutes into Arsenal’s preseason game against Chelsea after a Loftus Cheek challenge.#3Sports pic.twitter.com/jTp8Oo7Gbo— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) August 1, 2021 The Gunners midfielder felt the full force of a challenge from Ruben Loftus-Cheek.It appeared to be his ankle causing him trouble and, despite attempting to carry on, he was forced off the pitch in the 39th minute.Chelsea v Arsenal #CFC #ARSCHE https://t.co/zKEu3TWq5E— ً (@Mohxmmad) August 1, 2021 And, after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “I just had a talk with the doc. He’ll have a scan tomorrow. At the moment, it’s not looking good.”Granit Xhaka was his replacement, a man whose future could be affected by any injury to Partey, and – as we mentioned – he scored the Gunners’ only goal of the game.Mikel Arteta appears to have decided to tie Xhaka down to a longer deal, though. Xhaka against Chelsea (©Visionhaus/Getty Images)He said: “Granit Xhaka is going to stay with us. He is a key member of our squad.”According to several media, the Swiss star will get a contract until June 2025 with an increased salary.On the other end, the above mentioned Abraham seized the opportunity to show himself in front of possibly his new team, as the British media report Arteta is eager to sing him in the next few days to improve his unimpressive attacking firepower.
