Chelsea face Arsenal in a key Premier League game at Stamford Bridge this Sunday. Although both teams have mid-week European commitments, Chelsea had a easy fixture against Qarabag on Tuesday night where was Arsenal play on Thursday night. Arsene Wenger will most probably rest a lot of the first teamers as Arsenal desperately need to find some form in the league after having lost two matches already.
Antonio Conte’s selection on Tuesday night did give us some hints on who will start against Arsenal. Alvaro Morata was rested, so he is expected to start against Arsenal. More importantly, we will see the return of Eden Hazard who has made two substitute appearances so far after returning from his injury. Cesc Fabregas who played the whole match against Qarabag is mostly likely to sit out as Conte generally doesn’t play him in consecutive games with less than a week of gap in between.
Chelsea expected starting lineup against Arsenal
Speaking after the Champions League game, Conte said,
“First game in the Champions League, I decided to start with a rotation,” said Conte. “We have to start a process to improve our players. We are crazy to think we could play with only 13 players like last season.
“So we have to improve all these players to try and create a good competition, a positive competition, between them. It’s very important, this.”
It is clear that Chelsea will opt to rotate their players far more than they did last year which will give significant game time to fringe players. Players like Michy Batshuayi who barely got a look in last season will play a crucial role this season for the club.
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