Xabi Alonso faces a number of tough decisions regarding his Chelsea line-up for this afternoon's crunch Premier League fixture against Arsenal
Moises Caicedo and Reece James
Moises Caicedo faces a late fitness test ahead of Chelsea's trip to Arsenal(Image: Chelsea FC)
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After three victories from his opening three matches as manager, Xabi Alonso faces his toughest challenge to date with Premier League champions Arsenal the opposition this afternoon.
Chelsea have been perfect in terms of results to date but Alonso knows there is still much more to come in their performance levels. Against Arsenal, the west Londoners will need to be at their very best to get any form of positive result at the Emirates Stadium.
It will be interesting to see the amount of alterations, if any, Alonso will make from the Chelsea side that crawled over the line in the 4-3 victory against Brighton last weekend.
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With that being said, football.london predicts the XI that Alonso will field at the Emirates.
Emiliano Martinez
After making his debut last weekend, Martinez seems a certainty to start in goal against his former club Arsenal. Chelsea's new No.1 in status and the Argentine actually switched his number in the week following Robert Sanchez's loan move to Como.
Wesley Fofana
The 25-year-old could be picked ahead of Josh Acheampong on the right-hand side of a back three. Up against the impressive Christos Tzolis, Fofana could have a tricky afternoon on his hands.
Maxence Lacroix
Lacroix has made a really impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge and these are the types of matches the France international was brought in for. He should start in the middle of the back three.
Levi Colwill
Colwill hasn't started the season excellently, but that could be attributed to a couple of reasons, perhaps playing in a slightly different role on the left side of the three, or regaining his fitness and match sharpness after such a lengthy layoff last season. Either way, Colwill will start at the Emirates.
Malo Gusto
Even though Pedro Neto started as the right wing-back against Brighton, Alonso might be tempted for the more defensive option in Gusto there given the nature of the match.
Reece James
The Chelsea captain is expected to start in midfield in north London. Sources inside the club say James is set for a leading role in midfield for the remainder of the season.
Reece James
Reece James is set for a leading role in Chelsea's midfield under Xabi Alonso(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media)
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Romeo Lavia
Last weekend, Lavia was excellent. It was one of his best Chelsea performances in a long time. Moises Caicedo will be assessed ahead of the trip to the Emirates but Alonso will surely be cautious with his star midfielder.
Jorrel Hato
The Netherlands international was superb in the win against Brighton. The left wing-back role looks to really suit Hato's playing style.
Cole Palmer
It's been such a great start to the season for Palmer. It's refreshing to see the 24-year-old playing with such freedom and conviction once again. Let's see if he can continue it against what many consider to be the best team in the Premier League.
Morgan Rogers
Things could have been so different for Rogers. At one point, Arsenal were the front-runners to sign the former Aston Villa attacker, before Chelsea swooped in. Rogers will be hoping to show the Gunners what they missed out on this afternoon.
Morgan Rogers celebrates
Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Fulham(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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Joao Pedro
On current form, there's probably not a better striker in the Premier League than Joao Pedro. There certainly aren't many more complete No.9s than the Brazilian. He will face a tough task against his Brazil international colleague Gabriel Magalhaes at the Emirates.
Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro