By OkayGoal
Chelsea travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal, and this is the eleven that gives Xabi Alonso the best chance of getting a result. Here’s the reasoning behind every single name.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Arsenal
Emiliano Martinez: returning to where it all began
Emi Martinez started his career at Arsenal before ever making his name elsewhere, and he usually gets a frosty reception whenever he returns to the Emirates. He’s big enough a character to handle that.
What matters more is that Chelsea might well need him at his very best here, and there’s no reason to leave out a goalkeeper of his experience and quality for an occasion like this.
Wesley Fofana: experience over Acheampong
Fofana starts on the right side of the back three. There is a reasonable case for Josh Acheampong instead of him (and it wouldn’t be a surprising call if Alonso went that way) but Fofana’s experience and know-how against a front line as sharp as Arsenal’s is the deciding factor here.
Maxence Lacroix: the reliable central option
Lacroix continues as one of the two central defenders in the back three, offering the kind of composure Chelsea need against Arsenal’s attacking quality.
Levi Colwill: completing the back three
Colwill rounds out the central defensive trio, giving Chelsea a settled and familiar three at the back for a genuinely difficult away fixture.
Malo Gusto: chosen for balance over Neto
Gusto starts at right wing-back even though Pedro Neto did perfectly well there last time out. Gusto offers a touch more defensive stability and overall balance to the side, which matters against opposition of Arsenal’s quality.
Reece James: stepping in for an unfit Caicedo
If Moises Caicedo is genuinely fit, he plays without question. But he isn’t expected to be at 100%, and James alongside Romeo Lavia looks like a sensible combination in the middle of the park instead, giving Chelsea both experience and control in midfield.
Romeo Lavia: the midfield partner
Lavia completes the double pivot alongside James, offering the mobility and press resistance Chelsea will need to avoid getting overrun in midfield at the Emirates.
Jorrel Hato: continuity on the left
Hato continues at left wing-back, keeping that side of the pitch settled and familiar heading into a difficult away fixture.
Cole Palmer: too important to leave out
Palmer starts as part of Chelsea’s front line, the creative spark this side simply cannot do without in a fixture of this magnitude.
Morgan Rogers: adding to the attacking line
Rogers (who nearly joined Arsenal in the summer) continues in the front three, offering the kind of direct running and goal threat that gives Chelsea a genuine outlet against a well-organised Arsenal defence.
João Pedro: leading the line
João Pedro completes the front three, tasked with leading Chelsea’s attack in north London and giving the service from Palmer and Rogers somewhere to go.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Arsenal
Emiliano Martínez; Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill; Malo Gusto, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato; Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, João Pedro.