Chelsea can close Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table when they meet at Stamford Bridge – but Blues boss Enzo Maresca has key calls to make for derby showdown;Â Watch Chelsea vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm
Chelsea host Arsenal on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, as the Gunners’ nearest challengers in the early Premier League standings. This will be the Blues’ toughest examination yet – and there are intriguing questions for head coach Enzo Maresca to answer…
How do you break down the Premier League’s best defence?
Chelsea have scored 41 goals in 19 games this term – only Arsenal can better that total across all competitions among Premier League teams.
Yet, how Maresca sets up his attack this weekend and who he selects to start feels like a crucial call, given the Gunners’ extraordinary defensive quality.
Cole Palmer should be back available. But can he really be deployed from the start after only just returning from the groin injury – and subsequent broken toe – which has disrupted the start to his season?
That could mean Joao Pedro is again No 10 but the frontline striker ahead of him has been an issue, with just one goal coming from Chelsea’s starting No 9 in the league this season – whether that is Liam Delap, Marc Guiu or Joao Pedro.
Maresca used Pedro Neto as a false nine to good effect against Barcelona on Tuesday, although Delap’s first Champions League goal off the bench could give him the boost he needs before leading the line against Arsenal.
The other attacking decision which will be on the minds of Chelsea supporters is whether Estevao starts.