{"id":3603,"date":"2026-09-07T10:19:42","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T10:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3603"},"modified":"2026-09-07T10:19:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T10:19:42","slug":"what-was-noticeable-about-romeo-lavias-display-in-chelseas-2-1-loss-to-arsenal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3603","title":{"rendered":"What was noticeable about Romeo Lavia’s display in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal"},"content":{"rendered":"


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For a third consecutive game in the Premier League, Romeo Lavia was able to start for Chelsea!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lavia<\/a> could not help prevent his side from losing to their London rivals Arsenal on Sunday, but there were still some positives to take away from the match, including his performance.<\/p>\n

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Since his \u00a358m move from Southampton to Chelsea<\/a> in 2023, the midfielder has struggled with injuries. However, right now, this may be the fittest he has been since arriving at the club.<\/p>\n

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Another defeat to Arsenal but not the worst performance. Who was our best player? Who needs to improve?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Photo by Catherine Ivill \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Xabi Alonso<\/a> withdrew Lavia on the hour mark, perhaps feeling that the 22-year-old was starting to tire. But in the first half he was moving very well.<\/p>\n

Technically, Lavia is an exceptional footballer. His control under pressure is top-notch, but what was noticeable on Sunday was the fact that he could get up and down the pitch with little trouble and how strong he was on the ball.<\/p>\n

The above has not always been possible because of his fitness, but again, this is the fittest that Lavia has looked in a while, and that has not been difficult to see.<\/p>\n

Due to his fitness record, though, Alonso still needs to be cautious with the Belgian. Chelsea\u2019s next game is against Leeds United in the third round of the Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Catherine Ivill \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leeds are Premier League opposition. Alonso may feel he needs Lavia for this sort of game, especially with Moises Caicedo out injured<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the same time, though, the former Real Madrid boss will not want to take any risks for a Carabao Cup tie.<\/p>\n

Alonso did not risk Levi Colwill<\/a> against Arsenal, naming him on the bench, while he has admitted that Caicedo came back too early for the victory over his former side Brighton & Hove Albion.<\/p>\n

It is imperative now for Alonso and Chelsea to do everything they can to keep Lavia fit, especially with Enzo Fernandez no longer at the club.<\/p>\n

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