Maurizio Sarri’s side are fresh from their away victory over Huddersfield but Arsenal promise to be a greater test.
Meanwhile, the Gunners will be hoping to put their opening fixture defeat against Manchester City behind them.
They were outplayed in a 2-0 defeat at home to the champions and will want a better result to come away with from west London.
The fact both teams have taken new managers and are getting accustomed to their own ideas and style of play makes this derby all the more enticing.
TALKING POINT
Morata running out of time
Chelsea’s failure to lure Gonzalo Higuain to Stamford Bridge handed Alvaro Morata a new lease of life. The Spaniard is not too dissimilar to the veteran striker in terms of ability and has all the qualities Maurizio Sarri looks for in a centre forward.
Sadly, much of Morata’s performance is reliant on his confidence and state of mind. Antonio Conte quickly lost faith in him last season – after spending an initial £58 million to sign him in the first place – and the 25-year-old seemingly never recovered.
He now has the opportunity to prove himself as the new man in charge but has so far flattered to deceive – he often does. In 2018, Morata has scored just once in 15 Premier League appearances. For now though, Sarri is fully behind the striker.
“I am not worried about Morata. Morata is a very good player,” said Sarri, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s visit.
“I think in this moment he needs only to gain confidence. But he’s a great player.
“He needs to gain confidence. But he’s improving. I’m not really worried about him.
“He needs to score. As do all strikers in the world, I think.”
It’s no surprise Sarri is prepared to offer Morata every chance to succeed, he is not oblivious to the obvious talent the former Real Madrid man possesses. Morata also has the benefit of learning from Chelsea’s legendary forward, Gianfranco Zola, who Sarri has brought on as assistant coach.
However, he won’t be immune to the axe. At this level, Morata can’t be afforded very long to get it right. Sarri may turn to one of the wide forwards in Eden Hazard, Willian or Pedro to play up front as he did with Dries Mertens at Napoli. Of course, there’s Olivier Giroud in reserve as well.
Alvaro Morata.
KEY BATTLE
Eden Hazard v Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin did not enjoy his outing against City last weekend and is likely to face similar problems at Stamford Bridge. Raheem Sterling often got the better of the Spanish full-back and after Hazard dazzled in his cameo against Huddersfield, the smart money is on the Belgian in this encounter.
Despite the distractions that come with interest from Real Madrid, Hazard looks set to carry his stunning World Cup form into the new season. Bellerin certainly has the pace to match the Chelsea attacker but Hazard’s threat lies more in his close control, guile and vision.
He won a penalty off the Arsenal defender last season and Bellerin has always looked more comfortable charging at the opposition’s goal than defending his own.
Eden Hazard has completed 50 take-ons in the Premier League against only one team; the most he's managed vs. a single opposition.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 17, 2018
That team is Arsenal. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/iH5irGrov4
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Maurizio Sarri – “I think Emery is a very good coach. He won three times the Europa League, he won in France with PSG. I think Arsenal this season will be competitive. I think they will be able to fight for a place in Champions League.”
Unai Emery – “We are going to play away but we need to keep our personality, keep our mentality. I think on Sunday against Manchester City, the team kept their ideas, kept their spirit in the game for the full 90 minutes, even when we were losing, and didn’t let their heads go down.”
WHAT WE THINK
Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal
The hosts seem the more settled of the two teams and Hazard’s inclusion will be a big boost. Chelsea, at the moment, are more suited to Sarri than Arsenal are to Emery. The Gunners have more mistakes in their locker.
