Ashley Young talks to BBC Match of the Day with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso inset
Ashley Young talks to BBC Match of the Day with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso inset
The Blues lost 2-1 at Emirates Stadium but came close to equalising through the young Brazilian, who was denied by a diving David Raya.
Morgan Rogers had opened the scoring for Alonso's side before Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard found the net either side of the break to earn the Premier League champions the three points.
Estevao has been limited to only appearances off the bench in the Premier League so far this season, having come off the back of a significant hamstring injury suffered in April.
Sunday's display will almost certainly earn him a starting place against Leeds United on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, and potentially against Hull City on Saturday.
Yet it remains to be seen how Alonso will fit his star men together, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro continuing to impress.
I really need to find out what Arsenal is giving to Raya😳😳
Cause tell me tf how he saved this Estevao goal, that’s not a shot man, it’s a goal😳😳🙂↔️#ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/IxrZxidBys
— Prime Picks (@primepikks) September 6, 2026
Xabi Alonso may need 'change of shape'
Estevao impressed in his debut season in England last season, following his £29million move from Palmeiras.
The 19-year-old scored eight goals and provided three assists across all competitions, including a winner off the bench against Liverpool in October.
There have been plenty of disruptions for the Brazil international, too, with injuries and inconsistent selection making progress hard to come by.
But Estevao looks to have returned in good form this season, and could soon provide Alonso with a serious headache.
"I don't know whether he's going to be a wing-back and I think that he had the big injury towards the end of last season, the hamstring, why he missed the World Cup," Young told Match of the Day on Sunday.
"So I think that's something, but if he comes on and makes that impact, he might not start in that front three right now, but when you get that opportunity, you've got to show and express exactly what you're about.
"I think that cameo there, if he keeps on doing that, there has to be a change in shape for Alonso - he just can't leave him out of the team so he's got to find a way."
How could Alonso fit Estevao in?
Should Alonso want to fit Estevao in with Rogers, Palmer and Pedro, it would likely have to be for Pedro Neto at wing-back.
The trouble is that the teenager has not shown any great defensive ability, and was dribbled past 1.17 times per game last season on average.
A system change would be the likelier solution, with Estevao taking up a position on the right-wing while Palmer drops behind the striker.
It remains unclear whether Alonso would be willing to tweak his system so early in the season, however.