Arsenal v Chelsea: Ezri Konsa starts in defence for Emirates derby

Ezri Konsa has been named in Arsenal’s starting XI for the first time as Mikel Arteta’s side face Chelsea in the London derby at Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Premier League fixture is being played in the third round of the competition, with Arsenal handing their new arrival a starting role in defence. Kai Havertz leads the hosts’ attack, while the rest of Arteta’s selected team includes a mixture of established players and young talent.

Arsenal’s line-up is:

Goalkeeper: David Raya

Defenders: Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori

Midfielders: David Raya, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Ødegaard

Forwards: Christos Tzolis, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz

Konsa’s inclusion is the main change highlighted in Arsenal’s team announcement, with the defender set to make his first start for the Gunners. He is positioned centrally in a back four alongside Gabriel, with White and Calafiori completing the defensive unit.

Saka and Havertz are included in the forward line, while Tzolis is also selected as part of the attacking set-up. Ødegaard and Lewis-Skelly are listed in midfield.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has opted for the attacking combination of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro. The trio will lead the Blues’ forward line at Emirates Stadium as Chelsea attempt to make an impact in the derby.

Chelsea’s line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez

Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Wesley Fofana

Midfielders: Pedro Neto, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato

Forwards: Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro

Palmer and Rogers are joined by Joao Pedro in the front three, while the midfield includes Neto, James, Lavia and Hato. Acheampong, Lacroix and Fofana form the defensive line in front of Martinez.

The two managers have now confirmed their selections for a meeting between Arsenal and Chelsea in the capital. Arteta’s team features Konsa from the start for the first time, with Havertz chosen as the central attacking option. Alonso, meanwhile, has retained the attacking trio of Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro for the visiting side.

The match will take place at Emirates Stadium as part of the third round of the Premier League, with both line-ups now officially announced ahead of kick-off.