How Chelsea might line up in opposition to Arsenal
The return of Kai Havertz for Tuesday's Premier League London derby against Arsenal at the Emirates could benefit Chelsea.
Due to a knee issue, the German forward missed last week's 2-0 loss to Brentford, but manager Frank Lampard is optimistic that his issue won't prevent him from playing this week.
However, Armando Broja (knee), Mason Mount (pelvic), Marc Cucurella (thigh), and Reece James (thigh) are all out with injuries. Kalidou Koulibaly may also have a remote chance of recovering.
Marcus Bettinelli, Lampard's backup goalkeeper, is also on his way back from an undisclosed issue, but for the time being, Kepa Arrizabalaga is Lampard's indisputable starter over Edouard Mendy.
Cesar Azpilicueta had a terrible game against Brentford, in which he scored an own goal before being substituted at halftime; a change in formation might favor Trevoh Chalobah in the right-back position.
If so, Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, and Ben Chilwell would likely complete a four-man rearguard, while N'Golo Kante and Enzo Fernandez are a lock for starting roles in the middle of the field.
While neither Conor Gallagher nor Mateo Kovacic excelled against Brentford, the former—who has thus far scored the only goal of Lampard's second era—might win the race for the final position in the engine room.
Joao Felix and Havertz should tempt Lampard to make some attacking changes, but Raheem Sterling will likely keep his spot, meaning Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will likely start on the bench.
Kepa, Chalobah, Silva, Fofana, Chilwell, Fernandez, Kante, Gallagher, Felix, Havertz, and Sterling might be Chelsea's starting lineup.
