Chelsea team news: Predicted Chelsea line up vs Arsenal – Hazard return, Morata drops out
CHELSEA manager Maurizio Sarri could be set to freshen up his starting XI ahead of the Blues’ Premier League clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (5.30pm).
Chelsea star Alvaro Morata scores brilliant goal in training
Chelsea will be looking to build on their opening Premier League victory over Huddersfield when they welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Maurizio Sarri got his Chelsea reign off to a winning start as goals from N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Pedro saw off David Wagner’s Terriers.
Next up for the Italian is a London derby against fellow summer arrival Unai Emery, with the Gunners boss having tasted defeat in his first match against Manchester City.
Eden Hazard is expected to come back into the starting XI for Arsenal’s visit, having stepped off the bench in the 3-0 victory over Huddersfield.
The forward joined pre-season training late due to Belgium’s involvement in the World Cup third-place play-off, but is now nearing full match fitness.
Sarri could deploy the 27-year-old in a ‘false nine’ position if he opts to start both Pedro and Willian on the flanks.
This would mean that struggling striker Alvaro Morata drops to the bench, while Chelsea also have a couple of injury issues to contend with.
Mateo Kovacic is a doubt after being left out of the match day squad against Huddersfield, while Cesc Fabregas has a knee injury and joins Izzy Brown and Marco van Ginkel on the sidelines.
Chelsea team news: Eden Hazard is expected to start against Huddersfield (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea team news: GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea team news: RB – Cesar Azpilicueta (Image: GETTY)
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Chelsea team news: CB – Antonio Rudiger (Image: GETTY)
GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga
The world’s most expensive goalkeeper is certain to start after keeping a clean sheet in a very quiet debut against Huddersfield.
RB – Cesar Azpilicueta
One of the first names on the team sheet, Azpilicueta will look to provide width and take advantage of Arsenal’s left-back problems.
Nacho Monreal is currently doubtful while Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are also out, meaning Stephan Lichtsteiner is expected to start out of position.
CB – Antonio Rudiger
The German appears to be part of Sarri’s favourite central defensive pairing and looked relatively untroubled against the Terriers.
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Chelsea team news: LB – Marcos Alonso (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea team news: CDM – Jorginho (Image: GETTY)
CB – David Luiz
Trusted by the new manager and apparently ahead of both Andreas Christensen and Gary Cahill in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
LB – Marcos Alonso
While his new full-back role was expected to limit Alonso’s attacking contributions, the Spaniard still managed to win a penalty with a forward burst last week.
With Emerson Palmieri failing to make the match day squad on the opening weekend, Alonso looks free from competition.
CDM – Jorginho
A delightful penalty capped an impressive debut last week, and the former Napoli ace is a certainty to start with Fabregas ruled out.
Chelsea team news: CM – N'Golo Kante (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea team news: CM – Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea team news: RW – Pedro (Image: GETTY)
CM – N’Golo Kante
Given a licence to roam after the arrival of Jorginho, although Kante may occupy a deeper role than was seen against Huddersfield.
CM – Ruben Loftus-Cheek
The third spot in midfield is up for grabs after an indifferent performance from Ross Barkley last time out, so Sarri could turn to Loftus-Cheek for some added physicality.
RW – Pedro
Pedro was one of the stand-out performers during pre-season and added some gloss to the scoreline with his strike at Huddersfield.
However, the 31-year-old is most at risk if Sarri chooses to play both Hazard and Morata.
Chelsea team news: LW – Willian (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea team news: ST – Eden Hazard (Image: GETTY)
LW – Willian
After a summer of uncertainty, Willian looks fit and raring to go under a new manager.
Despite agitating for a move to Barcelona, the Brazilian was selected on the left of a front three last week.
ST – Eden Hazard
Produced a lively cameo off the bench last week and is almost certain to start against Arsenal.
The Belgian is expected to be deployed as a ‘false nine’ in place of the misfiring Morata, although Pedro could be the unlucky man to drop out if Hazard starts wide.
Chelsea team news: Is this how the Blues will line up against Arsenal? (Image: buildlineup.com)