Chelsea travel to Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas
Speaking live on Sky Sports Now at 10:05 am on September 21st, Arsenal legend Alan Smith discussed Cesc Fabregas’ fine display during Chelsea’s 4-2 EFL Cup win over Leicester City last night.
The ex-Gunners star doesn’t believe Fabregas is guaranteed to start against his former club on Saturday, highlighting his defensive weakness as a reason as to why he may once again be omitted from the Blues’ starting line-up, telling Sky Sports:
“Defensively sometimes he will let you down, it’s not his natural game. I wouldn’t say he’s a shoe-in to play against Arsenal. I can see Conte going back to the players that have been serving him.”
Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas celebrates scoring
The 29-year-old former Gunner moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2014 after a three-year spell with boyhood club Barcelona, and made an immediate impact as Chelsea romped to the Premier League title.
His performance levels dipped drastically last season, however, and since the arrival of Antonio Conte he has fallen down the midfield pecking order at Chelsea, having failed to make a league start so far this term.
Whether a trip to the Emirates will be the right time for Conte to reintroduce the Spaniard to Chelsea’s starting XI is debatable, with Arsenal being so strong in attacking midfield areas.
Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas celebrates
The Blues will likely want to keep the game tight and compact, and for that reason, the likes of Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante will likely be selected in an effort to stifle the Gunners’ attacking threats.
If Fabregas continues to display the form that he showed last night, however, it will become increasingly more difficult or Conte to leave him out of the side.
Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas
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