Two newly employed managers lock horns on Saturday as Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea host Unai Emery’s Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Both clubs have made big changes this summer in terms of personnel, with each club hoping their new coaches can usher in new eras of style and success.
Chelsea got off to the perfect start with a 3-0 win at Huddersfield, while Arsenal’s 2018-19 Premier League campaign spluttered into life with a 2-0 home defeat against champions Manchester City.
A London derby defeat will not necessarily be a disaster for either sides’ season given Chelsea and Arsenal look likely to give their new coaches time to build for the future.
However, Sarri will be desperate to win his first home Premier League game at Stamford Bridge, while Emery will not want to be beaten in the capital for the second game running.
Arsenal and Chelsea have met 52 times in the competition. Arsenal had a 54 per cent win rate in the first 26 meetings (W14 D9 L3), while Chelsea have won 54 per cent of the last 26 (W14 D7 L5).
After losing against Manchester City on the opening weekend, Arsenal are looking to avoid starting a season with two defeats for the first time since 1992/93.
Olivier Giroud scored in this fixture for Arsenal in February 2017. If he scores for Chelsea he will become only the second player after Cesc Fabregas to do so in this PL fixture for both sides.
READ ALSO: Chelsea Midfielder’s hopes in big doubt after Maurizio Sarri arrival
Team news
Eden Hazard made a cameo from the bench against Huddersfield, and may well start for Sarri against Arsenal.
Former Arsenal midfielder is a major doubt for the clash with his former side. It remains to be seen whether Hazard would replace either Willian or Pedro on the flanks, or play up front in place of Alvaro Morata with the Spanish striker struggling for form.
Arsenal face a defensive selection dilemma with Unai Emery currently without a recognised left-back. Ainsley Maitland-Niles started in the role against Manchester City with Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac both injured, but the youngster limped off in the first half.
His enforced withdrawal could see Stephan Lichtsteiner – who replaced Maitland-Niles versus City – start on the left flank.
Emery also has a tough call over his goalkeepers. Petr Cech was preferred to summer signing Bernd Leno against City, but struggled playing the ball out from the back – and he could be dropped versus his former club in favour of Leno.
Chelsea have won five of their last six home Premier League matches against Arsenal, with the exception being a 0-0 draw last season.
READ ALSO: Chelsea’s Star midfielder to miss BIG CLASH Against Arsenal this weekend!
Predicted starting line-ups
Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Willian, Pedro, Hazard
Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Papastathopoulos, Mustafi, Lichtsteiner, Torreira, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistants: Lee Betts, Stephen Child
Fourth official: Jonathan Moss
www.sojworld.com (c) August 14, 2018
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