PREM: Chelsea v Arsenal preview

Chelsea v Arsenal preview

Eden Hazard could start as Chelsea face Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, but summer signing Mateo Kovacic is unlikely to make the XI.

Hazard started on the bench for Chelsea's 3-0 opening-day win over Huddersfield, but looked bright after coming on late in the game and grabbed an assist.

Kovacic did not feature against the Terriers after joining from Real Madrid on Deadline Day, and Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has said he is not yet ready to play an entire match.

"At this moment he has to work, he is not ready for 90 minutes but maybe Saturday he can be used for the first 30 or the last 30," said Sarri. "I ask a lot for him, because for me is a very good player and in my opinion he can improve more.

"I think he can play in the three midfielders, it is the same for him centre, left or right. He is a very good offensive player, but he has improved during two years at Real."

Arsenal were beaten 2-0 at home by Manchester City in their first competitive match under Unai Emery.

Petr Cech will continue in goal for the Gunners despite being criticised for aspects of his display against City.

"Saturday the decision is easy," said Emery. "Petr Cech will continue to start the match, I believe in him. If he starts bad, I believe in him also."

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas will not feature against his former club due to a minor injury, but Sarri hopes he will be back in training next week despite describing it as "a very unusual injury".

"He has a pain, not in the knee, [but] near the knee," said Sarri.

Arsenal will be without Ainsley Maitland-Niles after he suffered a small fracture to his leg in last weekend's defeat to Manchester City that could rule him out for up to two months.

Maitland-Niles played at left-back in that loss and is likely to be replaced by fit-again Nacho Monreal, with Danny Welbeck also back in training, but Sead Kolasinac (knee), Laurent Koscielny (Achilles) and Carl Jenkinson (ankle) are absent.