Chelsea’s preparations for the upcoming Premier League match against Arsenal have taken a unique turn, as Xabi Alonso has integrated large rugby crash pads into the training regimen, according to Softfootball.
During a recent training session at Cobham, players were seen utilizing the pads, a tactic aimed at priming the squad for the physical challenges expected at the Emirates Stadium.
Players such as Valentin Barco and Pep Chavarría were observed holding the pads as teammates engaged in repeated impacts during practice.
This training strategy aims to prepare Chelsea for Arsenal’s well-known set-piece threats.
Last season, Arsenal demonstrated their strength from dead-ball situations, netting 22 goals from set pieces—making them one of the league’s top threats in this area. Their corner plays often feature aggressive runs and coordinated movements aimed at disrupting the goalkeeper’s area.
The Gunners’ capacity to cause confusion around the goalkeeper has rendered their corners notably challenging to defend, as they frequently leverage their physicality to contest the ball and capitalize on incidents from close range.
In light of this, Alonso seems determined to ensure that his players are adequately prepared for the anticipated pressure during the fixture between these two London clubs.
Chelsea may have an edge when it comes to countering Arsenal’s physical tactics, as they currently feature one of the tallest squads in the Premier League, sharing this distinction with Leeds United.
The Blues have also enjoyed a strong start to the Premier League season. They have secured victories in both of their opening matches and scored seven goals, reflecting the attacking dynamics introduced by Alonso.
Nonetheless, concerns linger regarding their defensive stability, as Chelsea has conceded five goals in those two wins.
This could be a critical issue against an Arsenal team that has proven hard to penetrate defensively. The Gunners have kept clean sheets in both of their initial Premier League matches and are keen to uphold that standard against Chelsea.
Arsenal also faces potential selection issues prior to the London encounter, as Bruno Guimarães and Cristian Mosquera reportedly missed training following their recent win over Aston Villa.
After the 1-0 victory against Villa, Mikel Arteta emphasized the necessity of depth in the defensive lineup, especially considering the club is competing in four different tournaments.
We knew that if we had an injury on the back line with Jurrien [Timber] out, we’d be in big trouble – so we had to do Ezri [Konsa deal
Arteta remarked.
He also provided insight on Mosquera’s condition, noting that the defender was removed from play due to concerns over a possible injury.
Mosquera could not continue, so we know the depth has to be really big when we’re fighting for four competitions in the manner that we play as well
Arteta continued.
He’s fine, but he was feeling like he was about to have something, and that’s why we have the bench that we have, and that’s why we had to bring Ezri in.
As Chelsea heads to the Emirates with strong offensive momentum and Arsenal boasting a solid defensive framework, the upcoming match presents an early examination of Alonso’s strategies.
Given the inclusion of rugby pads in their training, it’s clear that Chelsea is taking Arsenal’s threats from set pieces seriously.
