Graham Potter has made two changes to his Chelsea side for this afternoon’s Premier League clash against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge - but there is a start for former Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Blues are hoping to end a run of three top-flight matches without a victory, although they haven't defeated the Gunners on their own patch in the Premier League since 2018. That is a run that Potter and the Chelsea players will be hoping to bring to an end today.
Edouard Mendy keeps his place in the Chelsea goal with Kepa Arizzabalaga ruled out due to injury. The Spaniard suffered foot pain in last week’s defeat to Brighton and the issue had been diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. He isn’t expected to feature again prior to the World Cup break.
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There are a myriad of injuries across the backline. Reece James is out with a knee injury. Wesley Fofana too. Ben Chilwell is also set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines having hobbled off with a hamstring issue in midweek against Dinamo. That leaves Potter with five defenders available for selection - and one of those, Kalidou Koulibaly, only made his returned from a hamstring injury in midweek.
As a result, it’s no surprise Potter has opted not to start the Senegal international once again and deploy a back four. Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta begins at right-back and there is yet another start for Trevoh Chalobah, who has played every minute of every game since stepping in for Fofana during the home victory against AC Milan. Thiago Silva returns at centre-back and Marc Cucurella comes in for Chilwell at left-back.
There was hope Mateo Kovacic would be able to come into the midfield having not featured against Dinamo in midweek. However, the Croatian, who is nursing a knee issue, is only fit enough to be named among the substitutes.
Denis Zakaria doesn’t keep his place in the side - no surprise given his 70 minutes on Wednesday night were his first of the campaign - and is replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Jorginho keeps his spot, as does Mason Mount, who has started all but one of Potter’s matches in charge.
Inevitably, Aubameyang starts against his former side. The 33-year-old left the Emirates in January after a falling out with Mikel Arteta. He will have a point to prove this afternoon. Kai Havertz keeps his place as the number nine. The German has found some form in recent matches but still needs to become a more reliable goalscorer. The attack is completed by Raheem Sterling, who was back on the scoresheet in midweek.
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Aubameyang
Chelsea substitutes: Bettinelli, Koulibaly, Gallagher, Hall, Kovacic, Zakaria, Pulisic, Ziyech, Broja
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