Chelsea fans’ preferred lineup against Arsenal: Kovačić returns but the 3-4-3 stays

December has been a rough month for Chelsea and the last game of the year won’t be easy either. The Blues travel across town to face London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates, an away fixture which will be welcomed seeing as how Chelsea have been particularly poor at home. Let’s hope we end 2019 on a high.

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

The WAGNH community’s votes were rather evenly spread on the choice of formation as the 3-4-3 only barely edged past the 4-3-3 (35%) and the 4-2-3-1 (26%). I can’t remember the last time we were this evenly divided on this matter.

A third straight installment of three at the back means that Antonio Rüdiger, Fikayo Tomori, and Kurt Zouma start together for third time in a row, as Andreas Christensen (21%) is the odd one out yet again. With Reece James definitely and Marcos Alonso (37%) probably ruled out, Emerson and César Azpilicueta were the obvious (and only real) choices at wing-back.

The return of Mateo Kovačić is a welcome sight for many, with the midfielder receiving the most votes of any player, including goalkeepers. He slots in next to N’Golo Kanté, with Jorginho (48%) sitting this one out, joining Ross Barkley (4%) on the sidelines.

No surprises up front as Tammy Abraham continues to keep back-up Michy Batshuayi (9%) on the bench. Another disappointing display also saw Callum Hudson-Odoi’s (8%) numbers plummet to a record low as he and Pedro (6%) remain well behind Christian Pulisic and Willian.

3-4-3 (36%)
Arrizabalaga (92%) | Tomori (78%), Zouma (53%), Rüdiger (92%) | Emerson (52%), Kanté (88%), Kovačić (95%), Azpilicueta (92%) | Pulisic (79%), Abraham (89%), Willian (78%)

MY PREFERRED LINEUP

While I didn’t agree with using a 3-4-3 against Southampton, I do believe that a “Conte-esque” formation is the right move away to Arsenal. I would have liked to see Azpilicueta start as one of the back three like under Conte, but injuries ruled that option out. Otherwise, I agreed with all the community’s choices.

3-4-3
Arrizabalaga | Tomori, Zouma, Rüdiger | Emerson, Kanté, Kovačić, Azpilicueta | Pulisic, Abraham, Willian

COME ON, YOU BLUES!!!