Caicedo had missed the previous league opener against Fulham and a League Cup victory over Luton Town due to injuries. He made his season debut in a match against Brighton but was forced to leave the pitch after just 14 minutes when he substituted Pedro Neto. This setback ruled him out for the Arsenal clash.

In his post-match comments, Alonso provided an update on Caicedo’s condition, stating that the latest injury is not long-term but admitted to mishandling the player’s recovery timeline. He remarked, “It’s about assessing the risk” and acknowledged the possibility of having brought Caicedo back too early last week, expressing a desire not to repeat the mistake.

Despite the disappointment related to Caicedo’s injury, Alonso refrained from attributing the loss solely to absences, affirming his confidence in the existing squad. He stated, “It’s easy after defeats to talk about the players that you are missing,” emphasizing the necessity of adapting to injuries and suspensions and recognizing the overall quality of his team. “To have all the players available for all the games is impossible,” he added, while highlighting the importance of top players like Caicedo for team performance.

Following the defeat, Chelsea is poised to focus on their upcoming Carabao Cup match against Leeds United. While it is uncertain whether Caicedo will be fit to play, Alonso’s comments indicate that caution will be exercised regarding his return.