Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 victory over ES Tunis to set up a last 16 meeting with Benfica at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Enzo Maresca’s side had beaten LAFC in their opening group stage match, but a 3-1 defeat against Brazilian outfit Flamengo threatened their place I the knockout stages and meant they had to beat their Tunisian opponents to ensure qualification.
Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap and Tyrique George earned the Blues an important victory, with Portuguese giants Benfica lying in wait in the first knockout round.
Off the pitch, it appears that one of Chelsea’s most expensive ever signings is set to join a fierce rival.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The journalist claims that the Gunners have finalised a deal to land the Spaniard after triggering his £5 million release clause.
Kepa joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao back in 2018 for a fee of almost £72 million, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in history at the time.
The 30-year-old has endured a difficult spell in London, however, making a number of high profile errors for the Blues during his time with the club.
In total he has played 163 appearances for the West London side across all competitions, keeping 59 clean sheets.
Having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge, Kepa was sent on loan to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, before returning to the capital at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
He then spent last term on loan at Premier League side Bournemouth making 35 appearances for the Cherries.
Romano claims that Kepa will join Mikel Arteta’s squad and act as understudy to fellow countryman David Raya.
