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

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.

West Ham United's Valentin Castellanos shoots against Chelsea.

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James Milner celebrates Brighton's win against Brentford.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope fumbles a cross leading to Ibrahima Konate scoring Liverpool's fourth goal in a 4-1 win at Anfield on Jan. 31, 2026.

Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope fumbles a cross leading to Ibrahima Konate scoring Liverpool's fourth goal in a 4-1 win at Anfield on Jan. 31, 2026.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (right) and Bournemouth's Lewis Cook clash at the Molineux stadium on Jan. 31, 2026. Bournemouth won the match, 2-0.

Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal heads the ball whilst under pressure from Casemiro of Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Jan. 25, 2026 in London. Manchester United won the match, 3-2.

Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa attempts to stop a goal scored by Everton's Thierno Barry at Villa Park on Jan. 18. Everton won the game, 1-0.

Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Jan. 17.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Fulham and Chelsea players battle for possession in front of goal at Craven Cottage on Jan. 7. Fulham won the match, 2-1.

Fulham and Chelsea players battle for possession in front of goal at Craven Cottage on Jan. 7. Fulham won the match, 2-1.

Callum Wilson of West Ham United competes with Mateus Mane of Wolverhampton for possession of the ball at Molineux on Jan. 3. Wolves won the match, 3-0.

Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace heads the ball during the Premier League match against Fulham at Selhurst Park on Jan. 1. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Manchester City's Rayan Cherki celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Nottingham Forest on Dec. 27.

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Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Newcastle on Dec. 26.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Everton's Michael Keane (left) battles with Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus for the ball during the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Dec. 20. Arsenal won the match, 1-0.

Everton's Michael Keane (left) battles with Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus for the ball during the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Dec. 20. Arsenal won the match, 1-0.

Rico Henry of Brentford shoots past Ki-Jana Hoever of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Dec. 20. Brentford won the match, 2-0.

Nico O'Reilly of Manchester City is tackled by Nathanial Clyne of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park on Dec. 14. Manchester City won the match, 3-0.

Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool heads the ball to score his team's second goal against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Dec. 13. Liverpool won the match, 2-0.

Yeremy Pino of Crystal Palace battles for possession with Raul Jimenez of Fulham at Craven Cottage on Dec. 7. Crystal Palace won the match, 2-1.

Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's first goal against Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Dec. 6. Tottenham won the match, 2-0.

Emi Buendia of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-1 win over Arsenal at Villa Park on Dec. 6.

Jack Grealish of Everton attempts to control the ball while under pressure from Nottingham Forest players at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Dec. 6. Everton won the match, 3-0.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is challenged by Marc Cucurella of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Nov. 30. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Crystal Palace hosts Manchester United at Selhurst Park on Nov. 30. Man U won the match, 2-1.

Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Nov. 29. Newcastle won the match, 4-1.

Leandro Trossard scores Arsenal's first goal in a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on Nov. 23.

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez makes a save against Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley on Nov. 22. Chelsea won the match, 2-0.

Nikola Milenkovic of Nottingham Forest wins a header under pressure from Jayden Bogle of Leeds United at City Ground on Nov. 9. Nottingham Forest won the match, 3-1.

Michael Keane of Everton scores his team's second goal during a 2-0 win over Fulham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Nov. 8.

Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Nov. 1. The victory ended a four-game losing streak in Premier League games for the defending champions.

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Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri (right) and Burnley's Florentino Luis battle for possession of the ball at Turf Moor. Arsenal won the Nov. 1 match, 2-0, to stay six points above Manchester City atop the Premier League table.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Diego Gomez of Brighton & Hove Albion scores his team's second goal whilst under pressure from Lucas Perri of Leeds United at Amex Stadium on Nov. 1. Brighton prevailed, 3-0.

Diego Gomez of Brighton & Hove Albion scores his team's second goal whilst under pressure from Lucas Perri of Leeds United at Amex Stadium on Nov. 1. Brighton prevailed, 3-0.

Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher comes out to clear the ball against Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on Oct. 25. Brentford won the match, 3-2, sending Liverpool to its fourth consecutive Premier League defeat.

Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates after scoring his team's first goal in a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Oct. 25.

Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Oct. 19.

Andre of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Wilson Isidor of Sunderland during Sunderland's 2-0 win at Stadium of Light on Oct. 18, 2025 in Sunderland, England.

Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United is challenged by Floretino Luis of Burnley during Burnley's 2-0 win at Turf Moor on Oct. 18, 2025 in Burnley, England.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City competes for a header whilst under pressure from Sepp van den Berg and Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025. Man City won the match, 1-0.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates alongside Marc Cucurella and Jamie Gittens after Estevao Willian scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Oct. 4, 2025.