New London gaffers to face off as Chelsea host Arsenal today

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil (right), shoots during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Chelsea and Arsenal at the Emirates stadium in London, on Wednesday, January 24, 2018. Photo: AP

KATHMANDU: After suffering a 2-0 defeat in their first 2018/19 PL game against Manchester City, the Gunners will clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the first major London derby today at 10:15 NST.

Both Blues and the Gunners will walk into the pitch headed by new managers Maurizio Sarri and Unai Emery, respectively, in the match-day 2 of the English Premier League.

As both teams look like clubs with works-in-progress, this fixture is said to set future direction to allow room for ushering new style of play.

Interestingly, Chelsea Boss Sarri hopes to win his first home game at Stamford Bridge while Emery’s Gunners are expected to go tough on the Blues to avert second defeat in a row.

Chelsea are without Cesc Fabregas who is out with a leg injury for what could have been his reunion with the Gunners.

Meanwhile, play-maker Eden Hazard who started from the bench against Huddersfield is expected to play from the start in this London Derby.

With Alverto Morata facing poor run of form, Sarri might as well play Hazard up front rather than replacing Willian or Pedro in the right-left flanks.

On the other hand, Arsenal face a selection dilemma in the defensive line up with Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac and youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles all out of injury.

Probable Chelsea XI: Kepa, Rudiger, Luiz, Azpilicueta, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Pedro, Hazard, Morata

Probable Arsenal XI: Cech, Papastathopoulos, Mustafi, Monreal, Bellerin, Xhaka, Torreira, Aubameyang, Ozil, Mikhitaryan, Lacazette

Other fixtures, today:

Source: Google PL Fixtures