Xabi Alonso faces a number of key decisions ahead of Chelsea's trip to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on Premier League champions Arsenal
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo is a doubt for Chelsea's trip to Arsenal(Image: Robin Jones)
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With the summer transfer window closed, Xabi Alonso knows the exact contingent of Chelsea players he will be able to choose from for the next few months.
This weekend, the Blues travel to Arsenal, the reigning champions, in undeniably Alonso's toughest challenge to date during his short west London tenure. Alonso will go up against someone he has been close with ever since being a child in Mikel Arteta, with the two having all week to prepare for what is set to be an intriguing tactical battle at the Emirates Stadium.
Alonso could be tempted to make a couple of changes to his Chelsea side following the weekend's 4-3 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard is unlikely to alter things too much but the context of facing what many people consider to be the best team in England at the moment, in their own back yard, could call for some different personnel.
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The shape in itself is a fascinating subject. Alonso has gone with a 3-4-3 formation for the opening two Premier League matches of his Chelsea reign but in the Carabao Cup second round victory over Luton Town, it was a more conventional four-back system.
Emiliano Martinez is a certainty to start in goal against his former club. The Argentine goalkeeper made his Chelsea debut in the victory against Brighton. These are the sort of games Martinez has been brought in for and Alonso will be hoping the 34-year-old can show why they made a big decision in signing him from Aston Villa last month.
Josh Acheampong has impressed whenever he has played this season. The Cobham graduate could come in for Wesley Fofana alongside Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill. The latter two, you would expect to start the majority of league matches in Alonso's debut season if fit and available.
Maxence Lacroix in action during Chelsea's win over Luton Town
Maxence Lacroix has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Chelsea(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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Malo Gusto was used in the centre of midfield at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but the France international could be deployed as a right-sided wing-back this time around. On the other side, Alonso could be tempted to use Jorrel Hato once again after an impressive display in the win over the Seagulls.
There could be a role for Reece James in the centre of the park. The Chelsea captain started from the bench in the most recent match but he could return to the side next to Romeo Lavia.
We are set to hear an update on Moises Caicedo's injury this afternoon, with Alonso taking his press conference at 1:30pm (UK time). However, the Ecuadorian was nowhere to be seen when the club released their training pictures earlier this week, so it has left a lot of supporters doubtful over whether he will be involved in north London.
In attack, it looks pretty nailed on. Cole Palmer on the right-hand side, Morgan Rogers on the left and Joao Pedro leading the line. The most-feared attacking threesome in the Premier League right now and they are set for a massive challenge against Arsenal's brick-wall defence.
Cole Palmer celebrates
Cole Palmer celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Brighton(Image: Mike Hewitt)
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Potential Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro