Chelsea Team News - Predicted chelsea line up vs arsenal – hazard return, morata drops out
If you're new, Subscribe! → ****** #Football #Sport #BreakingNews #News24 Chelsea team news: Predicted Chelsea line up vs Arsenal – Hazard return, Morata drops out ====================================== 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.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.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.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.L
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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
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
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
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
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
