Chelsea have confirmed their starting XI to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, with Moises Caicedo absent from Xabi Alonso’s matchday squad.
The Blues face the reigning Premier League champions at 4.30pm after winning their opening two league matches of the season.
Alonso has made two changes from the side that beat Brighton 4-3, with Reece James and Josh Acheampong coming into the starting XI.
Chelsea lineup vs Arsenal
Chelsea XI: Martinez; Acheampong, Fofana, Lacroix; Neto, James (c), Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Penders, Colwill, Gusto, Chavarria, Barco, Quenda, Gittens, Estevao, Welbeck.
James returns to captain the side and is expected to partner Romeo Lavia in central midfield.
That is the exact midfield solution we backed in our Chelsea predicted XI against Arsenal, with Alonso having already spoken publicly about James’ potential to become an elite midfielder.
Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato continue as the two wing-backs.
There is also a notable change at the back. Acheampong replaces Levi Colwill, who drops to the bench, and joins Wesley Fofana and Maxence Lacroix in the back three.
Moises Caicedo absent for Chelsea
The biggest news, however, is Caicedo’s absence.
The midfielder does not even make the Chelsea bench after his fitness had dominated the build-up to the game.
Caicedo returned against Brighton last weekend but lasted only 13 minutes before being withdrawn.
Alonso had subsequently confirmed Chelsea would assess him before the Arsenal match, with ReadChelsea covering the latest Moises Caicedo fitness situation earlier this week.
Chelsea have ultimately decided not to include him at all.
That puts considerable responsibility on James and Lavia against one of the strongest midfields in the Premier League.
Further forward, Alonso has kept faith with his established attacking trio.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers will operate behind João Pedro, with Chelsea looking to extend an impressive start which has already produced seven Premier League goals.
The official Chelsea team announcement confirms Geovany Quenda is also back among the substitutes after missing the Brighton victory.
