Chelsea keeper Courtois forced off after blow against Arsenal

London (AFP) - Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced to go off in the first half of his side's game against Arsenal on Sunday after injuring himself in a collision with Alexis Sanchez.

Sanchez's hip slammed into the side of Courtois's head as the Chilean forward chased Jack Wilshere's pass into the Chelsea box in the 10th minute of the Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.

Courtois continued playing after receiving treatment, but he was eventually obliged to give way to Petr Cech in the 24th minute, with television pictures showing blood running from his right ear.

Belgium international Courtois, 22, has supplanted Cech as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper this season after spending the last three years on loan at Atletico Madrid.