Arsenal vs Chelsea: 4 of Maurizio Sarri's men to watch out for | Premier League 2018-19

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea FC - Premier League

Saturday’s match between Chelsea and Arsenal will be one closely watched by fans and pundits alike. Chelsea will want to show the world that they can keep up with the English Premier League leaders, and Arsenal will want to make sure they are still in contention for the top four.

Unlike other seasons, this one has seen both clubs start the season under new managers. This is going to be one of those cut-throat games that there will be all to play for.

Chelsea’s biggest problem this season has been their lack of a clinical finisher who can help them put games to bed early. Arsenal, on the other hand, looks like they have gone back to the Wenger era of late.

Both these two teams want to prove a point in Saturday’s game and you suspect that it will be an end to end kind of match on Saturday.

Chelsea, though lacking a clinical forward, has really equipped them well with playing Hazard up top being supported by Willian and Pedro in their last few games. This has gone well for them and with the expected arrival of Gonzalo Higuaín, they may even get better.

The game against the Gunners, however, the Blues are expected to continue with the same front three that has served them okay even with the return of Morata from injury. Chelsea still possesses great talent that will surely have the Arsenal manager worried about.

Here are four Chelsea players that we should look out for against Arsenal.

#4 Marcos Alonso

Chelsea FC v Newcastle United - Premier League
Chelsea FC v Newcastle United - Premier League

When the season started, a number of people were pretty worried about Marcos Alonso fitting into the fullback position. That was after he had a great stint as a wing-back in his first two seasons at Chelsea.

It was feared that he would not thrive as much in a traditional full back position; he was not even selected in a number of Spain squads as they felt he wouldn’t fit in. But the Spaniard has done well to dispel those ideas by putting in great performances under Sarri this season that he is one of the best left backs in the league today.

With a wicked left foot, pace, precision and great stamina, he will surely worry Arsenal. When Chelsea needs width, and they will be counting on the Spanish left back to provide it and put in a decent amount of crosses into the Arsenal box.

If Arsenal doesn’t put special focus on this player, he may just be one that really undoes them from that left flank. And with Arsenal’s right back being one that enjoys attacking, you have to feel that Alonso may have a say in this game. He’s also dangerous on free kicks and he may just be tempted to wipe one in the Arsenal goal.

#3 Jorginho

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea - Carabao Cup: Semi-Final First Leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea - Carabao Cup: Semi-Final First Leg

What more can you say about a man that has managed more passes than any player in the Premier League this season? Jorginho is a vital cog in this Chelsea team, and that’s why Sarri did everything to get him to come to Chelsea.

He’s the one that Sarri looks at to implement his playing style on the field and so far, he has not disappointed. Jorginho has adapted well to the Premier League without much fuss, and without him in the Chelsea team you’d surely see the difference.

He has managed to enable N'Golo Kante to play in a more box-box role and hence use his talent more efficiently. You will not see what Jorginho does on the stats in terms of assists or goals, but his manager surely sees his importance to the team.

He is more than just the guy to pick out a glorious assist - he also keeps things moving for his team throughout the entire 90 minutes of the game. Chelsea runners also appreciate him as he creates space for them in a timely and exquisite manner.

#2 N'Golo Kante

Chelsea FC v Newcastle United - Premier League
Chelsea FC v Newcastle United - Premier League

N'Golo Kante was predominantly a defensive midfielder, but his role has clearly been changed and defined by Sarri this season. Kante was known for his tireless running as he could cover all the blades of grass in the field. He did that to protect his back line and provide cover for his marauding full-backs.

In the Chelsea team this season, however, he’s playing quite a different role. With Jorginho being the one left behind to cover the midfield, he has adopted a more box to box role without compromising his value to the team. Now, you’ll find Kante in the opposition’s half more often, which allows Chelsea to press teams from their side.

Arsenal has midfielders that like to hold on to the ball more often, and N'Golo will want to catch them out. He’s an excellent ball winner and will look to hustle the ball off the Arsenal players in their area as soon as they have it. He has also proved that with his new position as the runner in the midfield he can score the odd goal here and there.

#1 Eden Hazard

Chelsea FC v Newcastle United - Premier League
Chelsea FC v Newcastle United - Premier League

We all know too well about Eden Hazard’s talent and what he brings to the Chelsea team. Hazard is their talisman and one that Arsenal will be most worried about in this game. It doesn’t matter where the Belgian will start, he will still be the one that Arsenal will want to keep a close eye on.

Hazard can surely dribble past players, pick up a pass and score goals for the team. As such, he will be the one person that Chelsea will look to for inspiration, ideas and creativity up front. His supporting cast will also want to be at the right place at the right time so as to be ready when he’s on the move.

If there’s going to be one person that will torment and look to bridge the Arsenal back line, then that man will be Eden Hazard. As Chelsea's top scorer this season, he will want to add to his tally and prove that he’s the go-to guy for Chelsea in big games.

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Edited by Gabby Duran