Chelsea starting lineup to face Arsenal predicted as Moises Caicedo agreement reached

Xabi Alonso has a couple of big decisions to make ahead of Chelsea's clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Xabi Alonso could have a trick or two up his sleeve ahead of Chelsea's clash against Arsenal. The Blues will lock horns with Mikel Arteta's side at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as they each look to climb the Premier League.

Speaking to reporters at Cobham training ground on Friday, the Chelsea manager previewed the highly anticipated tie. Alonso said: "What we want is [that] we are able to adapt, and for sure, there will be games that we have a lot of possession, but we have struggled to score.

"I think that they defend in the low block, to have different tools, to have different ideas how to do it and to [have] different approaches is good. But we are in [the] early days, we have had two games, two wins,

"We are aware that we can do better, we want to do better, something that we need to keep doing well, and I think that we will improve for sure."

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So, with that being said, Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes of football.london have predicted the Chelsea starting lineup to face Arsenal.

Bobby Vincent

Emiliano Martinez in goal against his former club. The Argentine usually gets a frosty reception when he returns to the Emirates but he's big enough to deal with it. Chelsea might need him at his best.

Wesley Fofana on the right side of a back three with Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill as the other two central defenders. I wouldn't mind at all if Josh Acheampong played instead of Fofana, but the Frenchman's experience and knowhow could be preferred.

Malo Gusto as the right wing-back even though Pedro Neto did well there last week. Gusto might add a bit more defensive stability and balance to the side. Jorrel Hato on the left-hand side.

If Moises Caicedo is fit, play him. But I don't think he will be 100%, so Reece James with Romeo Lavia is a fine combination in midfield. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro as Chelsea's front line in north London. Of course

Bobby's starting lineup: Emi Martinez; Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill; Malo Gusto, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato; Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro.

Jake Stokes

I don't suspect Xabi Alonso will make many changes to the Chelsea starting lineup this weekend. The Blues manager has enjoyed an excellent start to life at Stamford Bridge, defeating Fulham and Brighton in the Premier League, as well as Luton Town in the Carabao Cup second round, but a trip to the Emirates Stadium will be a good measure of early progress.

Emi Martinez will remain between the sticks, as will Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, and Wesley Fofana in the back-three. Although a wing-back pairing of Jorrel Hato and Malo Gusto would provide Chelsea a bit more nous at the back, I think Pedro Neto will get the nod on the right.

In an ideal world, Moises Caicedo starts alongside Reece James in the middle of the park, but I don't think he'll be ready to play from the off. It will be interesting to see what role Valentin Barco has to play off the bench on Sunday afternoon: in possession, he offers lots of quality; out of possession, I don't think he's been tested properly in this department yet, so I'm looking forward to seeing how he does!

Then, up top, the frontline picks itself. It would be nice to see more of Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda. If the Blues are still in the game by the hour mark, I wouldn't be surprised if either of them decides the contest...

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