Maurizio Sarri has the first real test of his tenure at Chelsea with a clash against city rivals Arsenal.
Chelsea started the season comfortably with a 3-0 win away from home against Huddersfield. It didn’t necessarily have the free-flowing, vertical passages of play that Sarri’s teams are known for, but it was important, nonetheless, because they can’t afford to drop easy points during this transition if they are to finish in the top four.
Unai Emery’s first match in charge of the Gunners ended in a 2-0 loss to Manchester City, which was disappointing in terms of the performance. However, it was unrealistic to expect any other result considering the scale of the task he has ahead of him as well as how dominant the Citizens were last season, which looks to continue.
This is a big game for both sides even though it is so early in the season because it provides an early indicator of how far along they are in their rebuilding process. Neither side has Champions League football this season, so they will both be desperate to avoid that continuing.
Sarri is likely to force his style on Arsenal especially because the Blues are playing at home. Therefore, Emery can afford to be pragmatic, once again, in order to deal with this, although he usually make positive alterations rather than setting up in a low block. The importance of this fixture means that both teams should field their strongest XI’s, which will provide an indication of how they intend to set up for the rest of the season.
Goalkeeper – Kepa Arrizabalaga
The Spaniard had an assured start with Chelsea even if he was rarely tested with shots on goal. He was known for his composure in everything he did during his time at Athletic Bilbao, and this was on display against Huddersfield. His distribution and catches were calm and confident while the solitary shot on target was dealt with.
His status as the most expensive goalkeeper in history has led to worries about whether he will be able to deal with this pressure because he is only 23-years-old. This all-London clash against Arsenal will be his first real test of his credentials because he’s likely to be a lot busier than he was against the Terriers. He has the right mentality to succeed because he never appears flustered and is able to deal with whatever happens on the pitch.
Kepa’s distribution will be key because Emery will want his team to press high and see whether Chelsea are capable of playing around them without making mistakes. Therefore, having an 11th passing option who is comfortable in possession is key in the build-up stage.