Rewind almost eight months, it was the second weekend of the new season, and Chelsea was in North London for a fierce derby against Arsenal.
The narrative of the afternoon surrounded the cinematic return of Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea. His debut, or re-debut, to take the spot he always dreamed of having, against an opponent where the previous two dominant Chelsea forwards most made their mark.
Within 15 minutes, Lukaku was on the scoresheet, discarding a hapless Pablo Mari to the floor like a toddler flinging an unwanted toy before slotting Reece James pass home. The afternoon was a dream come true for supporters wishing for Lukaku's return. A 90-minute period that felt like a symbol of what was to come. A new, ruthless Chelsea. Oh, how naive we were.
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As we approach the reverse fixture against Arsenal, there is a question about Lukaku actually starting. At this point of the season, that sends its own message.
After Lukaku's record-breaking seven-touch game against Crystal Palace back in February, Thomas Tuchel went for Kai Havertz as his favoured focal point, and that decision has been fully vindicated. In the 11 appearances since that switch, Havertz has found the net seven times, five in the league, more than Lukaku has since August.
But even with all the negativity surrounding the maligned Belgian whose Chelsea future beyond May is in doubt, Tuchel might have a temptation to replicate the success of August against a wounded opponent under serious pressure.
Team News
Tuchel confirmed in the press conference that Mateo Kovacic is out with a ligament injury, whilst Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell are still out, with Chilwell hopefully returning to first-team training before the end of this season.
Tuchel's approach
At this point, I would be pretty stunned if we see a 4-3-3 or 4-2-2-2, the last three games have seen a firm vote of confidence for a three-back formation, and it has worked with Chelsea scoring 11 goals, conceding two and winning three.
The question will come down to personnel and rotation as the Blues now face no free midweeks until the end of the season. Given Arsenal's injury issues in central midfield and out-wide, I feel like the use of width with wingbacks will be key, specifically targeting the left of Mikel Arteta's defence which is severely weakened without Kieran Tierney.
But even with Tierney, both of Chelsea's goals in August came down that side with the space gifted to Reece James.
On the matter of James' positioning, Tuchel does have a dilemma given the wingback has been used in the back-three recently, and it nullified the speed of wide players – which again is present with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Tuchel said pre-game he loves Reece in "both positions."
The Oppo
Chelsea finds Arsenal in a similar position to August, off the back of defeat with Arteta under fire from critics who question his ability to lead the club back into the Champions League.
After three successive league defeats to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton, the Gunners arrive at Chelsea needing points to keep their top-four dreams alive.
Arteta did win at the Bridge last season, mainly setting his team up in a defensive 3-4-3 shape compared to the 4-2-3-1 he's mostly used this season. Nuno Tavares and Granit Xhaka have filled in at left-back in Tierney's absence, whilst the inexperienced Albert Sambi Lokonga has come in for Thomas Partey in midfield.
Arsenal have struggled for goals of late, only netting one in their last three. 12 since their defeat to Man City on New Year's Day despite racking up an xG of 20.9. A bit like Chelsea, the search for a ruthless finisher goes on.
The Lineup
The sheer amount of games in a short amount of time is going to force rotation. I expect Thiago Silva to return, however, Andreas Christensen did impress at Wembley.
I'm going to back a now-rare Lukaku start against Arsenal, with Timo Werner and Mason Mount completing the attacking trio. It is easy to forget the £91m duo of Christian Pulisic (£58m) and Hakim Ziyech (£33m) as other attacking options.
Both were in fine form before the international break but now are out of the team. Almost finding themselves in Werner's position before his sudden resurgence. Suppose they get an opportunity they need to impose themselves.
In central midfield, the absence of Mateo Kovacic is worrying given his strong form, Jorginho still looks off the pace, and N'Golo Kante has been inconsistent of late. Ruben Loftus-Cheek's goal on Sunday should gain him a start here, either in midfield or as a wingback.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup: (3-4-1-2) Mendy, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Loftus-Cheek, Kante, Alonso, Mount, Werner, Lukaku
What would be your Chelsea lineup vs. Arsenal? Let us know in the comments below.
