{"id":3521,"date":"2026-09-06T20:40:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T20:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3521"},"modified":"2026-09-06T20:40:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T20:40:17","slug":"against-arsenal-xabi-alonso-has-done-what-enzo-maresca-would-have-shied-away-from","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3521","title":{"rendered":"Against Arsenal, Xabi Alonso has done what Enzo Maresca would have shied away from"},"content":{"rendered":"


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When Chelsea announced their team to play Arsenal, there were some big omissions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moises Caicedo has been struggling with an injury<\/a> and did not recover in time to make the starting XI.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, Levi Colwill was dropped to the bench and replaced by 20-year-old Josh Acheampong<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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CONFIRMED XI: Levi Colwill dropped and no Moises Caicedo! Thoughts on that?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"Chelsea<\/div>
Photo by Robin Jones\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Xabi Alonso has put his faith in Josh Acheampong<\/h2>\n

Before the game, Xabi Alonso<\/a> revealed that Colwill has also been dealing with a small fitness problem, hence Acheampong\u2019s inclusion.<\/p>\n

It was a bold move, as Alonso could have easily started Jorrel Hato in central defence. The Dutchman is the same age as Acheampong, but he has far more experience than his teammate.<\/p>\n

In a game of this magnitude, it would have been a safer bet. It is perhaps the route that former Chelsea<\/a> manager Enzo Maresca would have gone down.<\/p>\n

Maresca was reluctant to use Acheampong, preferring the likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.<\/p>\n

Alonso, on the other hand, appears to trust Acheampong. This is his second start in the Premier League this season, with the defender featuring in all of the Blues\u2019 games so far.<\/p>\n

In Chelsea\u2019s opener against Fulham, Acheampong made the highest number of defensive contributions<\/a>, showing what he can bring to the pitch when given an opportunity.<\/p>\n

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Why Josh Acheampong will continue getting opportunities this season<\/h2>\n

Whatever happens by the full-time whistle, Acheampong should be in line for more opportunities between now and the final game of the season.<\/p>\n

Under Alonso, Chelsea have been playing in a back three, while Chalobah, Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile are not at the club.<\/p>\n

There is an extra spot in central defence for the England Under-21 international to compete for and fewer rivals for it.<\/p>\n

Acheampong attracted a lot of interest<\/a> during the summer transfer window, but Chelsea decided to keep hold of their academy product and it is already proving to be the right decision. Maresca may have had a doubt or two, but Alonso looks convinced.<\/p>\n

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