Shock but no Gunners awe
CHELSEA will hand Eden Hazard a first start of the season tonight with manager Antonio Conte admitting they have wrapped their key man in cotton wool.
The Belgian playmaker, 26, last played for the club in the FA Cup final in May before picking up a serious ankle injury over the summer.
Despite starting for his country over the international break, Hazard has been forced to wait his turn for Chelsea.
But now, after three substitute appearances, he is back with Conte confirming he will be selected in the Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest.
“Now is the right moment for Eden to start the game, and to try and play the whole game,” said Conte. “I hope to be with him at the final step with the injury.
“We managed his situation very well. I was injured a lot of times in my career and I have a bit of experience about this situation. Now he’s ready to start the game.”
Hazard this week praised Conte, with whom he has a close relationship, and suggested it took the Italian just seven days to improve him as a player.
“Our work is to try to improve every single player on all tactical and physical aspects and in their mentality,” said Conte. “It’s very important in our work with the players.
“The most important thing is to have them open to receive more information and, above all, to have players with great will to learn and improve themselves.
“Eden is a top player. I’m sure of this. But he has improved a lot and he can continue to do that in his career to become one of the best.”
Conte is also surprisingly giving a second chance to Kenedy.
The Brazilian was sent home in disgrace from the club’s summer tour after making offensive remarks on social media regarding China, and his days appeared numbered.
“He knows very well what happened in China,” said Conte. “For sure, he made a mistake. But everyone in their life can make a mistake.
“Now he’s focused, he’s working very well, he understood his mistake. Now he’s ready. He’s ready to play and to show he deserves a space for the future.”
Chelsea have been criticised in recent years for the number of young players they have sent out on loan. But Conte is adamant they will get chances JAMES COPPINGER has warned Doncaster not to show Arsenal too much respect as he prepares to renew acquaintances with the Premier League side after 12 years.
Midfielder Coppinger was part of the Rovers side denied a Carling Cup semi-final place by the Gunners after a penalty shoot-out in December 2005 and is relishing tonight’s tie. Doncaster are 19th in League One but go to the Emirates determined to make a mark.
Coppinger said: “Realistically you have to give them respect because they are a top team – but not too much and hopefully we can catch them out.”
And manager Darren Ferguson is also sure the result is far from a foregone conclusion.
“Everyone is reflecting on the 2005 clash and the only difference is we are at their place,” he said. “We are going down there to shock them and in a one-off game, you never know.” Arsenal have confirmed reports in Express Sport that forward Danny Welbeck will be out until after next month’s international break with a groin injury suffered against Chelsea on Sunday.
Manager Arsene Wenger said: “Danny has a scan today. We don’t know how bad his groin injury is but he will certainly be out until the international break.”
Playmaker Mesut Ozil, midfielder Francis Coquelin and full-back Mathieu Debuchy will also be absent tonight but defender Calum Chambers will be included. Wenger said: “It will be a similar team to the one that played against Cologne.”
Midfielder Jack Wilshere, who made his first Gunners appearance in more than a year in last week’s Europa League win over Cologne, is also set to be involved. COPPINGER