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Chelsea vs Arsenal predicted XI: Does Koulibaly make his debut in 3-4-3?

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 16: Trevoh Chalobah #14 of Chelsea dribbles the ball up the pitch against Club América during their preseason friendly match at Allegiant Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chelsea defeated Club América 2-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 16: Trevoh Chalobah #14 of Chelsea dribbles the ball up the pitch against Club América during their preseason friendly match at Allegiant Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chelsea defeated Club América 2-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JULY 20: Jorginho of Chelsea makes a pass during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on July 20, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JULY 20: Jorginho of Chelsea makes a pass during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on July 20, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Reece James (No. 24) Right wingback, England

Reece James was very good against Charlotte. His passing was crisp and his defending and defensive awareness were impressive. He played as a right centerback, but he’s going to be right wingback for the whole season, except in maybe one or two games. It is good to have players who can play multiple positions, as the season is often filled with unforeseen problems. James has shown that he can play as a central midfielder and a centerback, as well, and that can only be good for Tuchel and Chelsea going forward.

Jorginho (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy

Jorginho will become Chelsea’s captain if Cesar Azpilicueta leaves. Many may not like it, but his role in the Blues’ play is one that cannot be played by anyone else at the moment. No, Declan Rice and Frenkie De Jong cannot do the job Jorginho currently does for Chelsea. In Jorginho, the Blues have a passing and transition expert, as well as a defensively sound base midfielder. In Rice, you get a defensively sound midfielder, but not a passing maestro. In De Jong, you have a passing maestro, but a defensively poor player. Jorginho was part of the reason Chelsea had so much control in the first half of the Charlotte game, and his absence was the main reason Chelsea struggled in the second half. Jorginho might be the only player who is guaranteed to start the new league season, apart from the new arrivals. Chelsea is night and day without and with him on the pitch respectively.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 8) Central midfielder, Croatia

Kovacic was also very good against Charlotte. He offers something no one else does, and against Arsenal, those things would be key for Chelsea to get its desired result. His work rate, passing and dribbling would be instrumental to the Blues’ pressing and domination of the midfield areas.

Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left wingback, Spain

Alonso is in better form than Chilwell at the moment, and it’s not surprising. Many fans have clamored for a back-up to Chilwell but as things stand, Chilwell may not even be the starter. It makes Chelsea’s priorities in the transfer market slightly tricky.

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