Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said his team are capable of hurting Arsenal on the break if forced to break from their rigid tactics in Sunday’s meeting at the Emirates.
Recent displays have seen a commitment to a slower, positional way of playing, despite the last four games having been against weaker opposition on paper, with the team under instruction from Maresca not to move the ball forward too quickly.
It has led to audible frustration from supporters during 1-0 home wins against Copenhagen in the Conference League and in the Premier League against Leicester, whilst the away leg against the Danish side was also a slow, stolid affair.
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Maresca has repeatedly said he will substitute players who do not adhere to his style, even as fans have increasingly voiced their displeasure with the way their team are playing.
Yet ahead of the meeting with second-place Arsenal, he admitted his side could be forced to be flexible.
“The intention will be that (to control the ball),” he said. “And if we are able or not depends a lot on the opponent.
“They just told me that Pedro Neto (against Copenhagen) did a sprint on 90 minutes. The reason why is that we were sitting back at the edge of our box. So if we plan the game (against Arsenal) sitting back and wait, sure our strikers and wingers are going to do 20 sprints for 60, 70 minutes.
“When you play most of your game in the opposite side, there is not space to do that kind of sprint.
“Our plan is to control the game but it’s a team that is going to press high and try to be aggressive, and probably we will have more space to attack in behind.”
Robert Sanchez is set to start in goal after winning his place back for the win over Leicester.
He had previously missed four league games in a row following a series of errors but after understudy Filip Jorgensen played against Copenhagen, Maresca said Sanchez is his pick for the Emirates Stadium clash.
“I think Robert needed some days off or at least rest mentally,” said Maresca. “He’s back and hopefully we are not going to change until the end (of the season).”
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda, the PA news agency understands.
The 17-year-old, who was reportedly a target for Manchester United, will remain in Portugal throughout the rest of this season and next before moving to London in 2026.
He has made 52 senior appearances for Sporting and made his Champions League debut in September.
Able to play on the right wing and at wing-back, he joins a list of teenagers set to join up with the club in the coming years with deals also having been struck for 17-year-old Brazilian Estevao Willian and 17-year-old Ecuadorian Kendry Paez, with both set to move in July.
