EX-CAPTAIN Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang STARTS against Arsenal.
The Gabon international, 33, left the Emirates for Barcelona under a cloud in January as Mikel Arteta pushed him out after a series of misdemeanours but returned to Chelsea in the summer.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goes up against Arsenal for the first time since his exit
And he will take on the Gunners for the first time since his exit at Stamford Bridge today.
Plenty of the build-up for today’s London derby has centred on Aubemayng – including in the BT Sport promo for the game, in which he said: “Arsenal, nothing personal. I’m back. I’m blue. I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Aubemeyang will play up front for Chelsea and will be supported by Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz in attack.
Edouard Mendy keeps his place in goal with Kepa Arrizabalaga injured and out of the World Cup while captain Cesar Azpilicueta lines up next to Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah in a back three.
However, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Mason Mount and Marc Cucurella all in the XI, Graham Potter will no doubt have his side transitioning between a 3-4-3 and a 4-3-3.
As for the visitors, both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Bukayo Saka are in from the outset after shaking off injury concerns.
Aaron Ramsdale is in goal with Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko as the back four.
Thomas Partey is the No6 between Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka with Saka and Gabriel Martinelli supporting Aubameyang’s replacement Gabriel Jesus leading the line.
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