CHELSEA have been warned to sign Michael Essien quickly ? or face losing him to Arsenal.

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas was clearly trying to goad the Blues into action when he made the threat.

Chelsea have offered ?21million for the Ghana international midfielder, 22, who is rated at ?32m by the French side.

That clearly puts him well out of reach for the Gunners.

But Aulas claimed: ?Concerning Michael Essien, nothing is done with Chelsea, especially since he is wanted by another big English club who have just lost a defensive midfield player.

?Chelsea will have to be quick if they want to sign Michael and not miss out on him.?

Essien was accused of feigning illness to skip Lyon?s 2-1 victory at Le Mans yesterday in their opening game of the new French season.

But his manager, former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, said: ?It really is gastro-enteritis.

?Michael has lost more than four pounds.?