Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has named his starting XI for Sunday’s London derby against Arsenal, with Moises Caicedo notably absent from the matchday squad.
The Blues entered the Emirates Stadium with a perfect record this season but faced their biggest test yet against the reigning Premier League champions. Alonso made two changes to the side that defeated Brighton in their previous outing.
James returns as Chelsea make changes
Captain Reece James returns to the starting line-up in place of Malo Gusto and is expected to operate in central midfield alongside Romeo Lavia.
Josh Acheampong also comes into the team, joining Wesley Fofana and Maxence Lacroix in defence. Levi Colwill drops to the substitutes’ bench.
Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato retain their places on the flanks, while Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro continue as Chelsea’s attacking trio.
Emi Martinez keeps his place in goal against Arsenal, the club where he began his career in England.
Chelsea will, however, be without Caicedo for the high-profile fixture. The Ecuadorian midfielder was not included among the substitutes, while Geovany Quenda returns to the bench after missing the victory over Brighton.
Arsenal make one change
Arsenal have made one alteration from the side that secured a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in their last Premier League match.
Ezri Konsa replaces Cristhian Mosquera in defence, with William Saliba also absent from the starting XI. England international Declan Rice starts in midfield, while captain Martin Odegaard leads the hosts.
Former Chelsea forward Kai Havertz starts for Arsenal, with Noni Madueke named among the substitutes against his former club.
Arsenal’s bench also includes Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, Max Dowman, Bruno Guimaraes, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.
Full lineup:
Chelsea XI: Martinez, Acheampong, Fofana, Lacroix, Neto, James (c), Lavia, Hato, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro.
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Saka, Odegaard (c), Tzolis, Havertz.
