Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has opted to start the out-of-form Romelu Lukaku for the important Premier League clash against London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League. The Belgian has encountered a difficult season at Stamford Bridge since his £97.8 million move from Inter Milan.
Tuchel dropped the striker earlier this year following a run of poor performances but he has been afforded an opportunity in tonight's game with Arsenal. Alongside the 29-year-old forward, Malang Sarr gets a rare start in Tuchel's defense.
Chelsea fans have reacted with bemusement to the news of both Lukaku's and Sarr's inclusion on Twitter:
Chelsea looking to consolidate third-spot whilst Arsenal fighting for top four
The Gunners have lost three league games in a row and have slumped out of the top four as a result. They were thrashed 3-0 by Crystal Palace, beaten 2-1 by Brighton & Hove Albion and then defeated 1-0 by Southampton last weekend.
This is a stark contrast to the impressive form Mikel Arteta's men showed earlier this season. Arteta and co were in good form and Arsenal were eyeing a top-four finish, which seemed unlikely at the start of the season.
But doubts over his suitability to lead the Gunners have returned, with Arteta's side ill affording to lose tonight's game against their London rivals.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have all but confirmed a top-four finish and will likely end the season 3rd. On the whole, that can be viewed as quite a disappointment as the Blues had been touted as potential title challengers.
Bringing in Romelu Lukaku in on a club-record £97.8 million deal from Inter was seen as an astute piece of business. But the Belgian striker has hugely disappointed and due to his poor form, the Blues have been unable to conjure up a fight in the title race.
The Blues are headed to the FA Cup final in May, however, where they will face Liverpool. Tonight's game has more implications for the Gunners but the Blues will look to put a dent in their rivals' top-four hopes.
BenChillwell
0
another mumu Chelsea fan
Your father
eljayodede
0
Tuchel is a useless manager , he only good at cup game , he can never win epl
another mumu Chelsea fan
fayclopu
2
Sarr & Lukaku is completely minus of our scouts, and the mistake of Thomas is when he put kante at no 4,
BeRaw
0
Tuchel a useless manager , who never learn from his mistakes, the last time he play Ruben and Kante in midfield will lose 4-2 to bremford not long ago , that pairing has never work but yesterday Mr Tuchel decide to still Pair the 2 together and take another 4-2 , Lukaku is not a bad player , Ziyech is not bad player but this manager make them like that?
He woke up the whole team, gave then trophies…made loftus what he is today, that guy is getting wayyyyy better under him than any coach, what did ziyech do under lampard? Lukaku doesn’t fit in our play…I can actually argue that you know nothing about “team” talk less of individual exponential growth 📈
BeRaw
0
Tuchel a useless manager , who never learn from his mistakes, the last time he play Ruben and Kante in midfield will lose 4-2 to bremford not long ago , that pairing has never work but yesterday Mr Tuchel decide to still Pair the 2 together and take another 4-2 , Lukaku is not a bad player , Ziyech is not bad player but this manager make them like that?
So you’re suggesting that tuchel should be sacked? Because you’re hell bent on him not being good while he’s won important trophies, name a manager that did that in the little timeframe, and don’t forget that lampard left as a worst manager he actually made the team worst…who woke them up to champions league, super cup and club world cup???… I know people like you, winning is all you want, losing isn’t failure it’s a lesson…name a team that doesn’t lose…ungrateful soul, you’re not a chelsea fan…don’t think you’re factual okay
BenChillwell
0
I’m surprised that when he wins he’s the best coach but when he loses it’s his fault…tuchel has nothing more to prove to you…lukaku and few other weak leg guys do..
Tuchel a useless manager , who never learn from his mistakes, the last time he play Ruben and Kante in midfield will lose 4-2 to bremford not long ago , that pairing has never work but yesterday Mr Tuchel decide to still Pair the 2 together and take another 4-2 , Lukaku is not a bad player , Ziyech is not bad player but this manager make them like that?
BeRaw
0
Yes is a true fans , who never scare to say the truth , Tuchel is the reason we will never win the league
I’m surprised that when he wins he’s the best coach but when he loses it’s his fault…tuchel has nothing more to prove to you…lukaku and few other weak leg guys do..
BenChillwell
0
Are you sure you’re a chelsea fan?
Yes is a true fans , who never scare to say the truth , Tuchel is the reason we will never win the league
BenChillwell
0
That Chelsea defence was completely weak arsenal deserves to win that game bullshit!! Thomas you have cost us a game that we could have won
He does it every time , Chelsea vs Leicester fa cup final last season , he decide to experiment Reece James on right central back , how can you experiment in final , you never play James in that position before ..
BenChillwell
0
Playing Lukaku is one player short on the field, Malang Sarr's one-legged player, he passes where he faces. Christensen panicked. Ruben played much on the right leaving Kante too exposed on the left. The poor challenge from the skipper. Tuchel gambled the lineup, it was a disaster. Chelsea plays more pack passes than any other team in the league. Liverpool will rip you open for 4 with that attitude.
Tuchel is a useless manager , he only good at cup game , he can never win epl
BenChillwell
1
Tuchel his the most inconsistent manager I had ever see , he will just do any rubbish he like
ceddklprs
0
Sarr is Maguire boyfriend, he could have easily clean the ball for 2 goals
🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
ceddklprs
0
you're gay
🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
ceddklprs
0
Sarr is Maguire boyfriend, he could have easily clean the ball for 2 goals
you're gay
warrennguni
2
Playing Lukaku is one player short on the field, Malang Sarr's one-legged player, he passes where he faces. Christensen panicked. Ruben played much on the right leaving Kante too exposed on the left. The poor challenge from the skipper. Tuchel gambled the lineup, it was a disaster. Chelsea plays more pack passes than any other team in the league. Liverpool will rip you open for 4 with that attitude.
josilva877
0
Yes. He makes lots of mistakes and people don’t see it because he won us UCL
yea❤️❤️❤️💯
wobaiksy
2
Malang sarr want to sell
VanelliGold
0
I have never seen a useless and naive coach as Tochel, this is premier league, he used other coaches players and won the champions league, let him use his Lukaku and win division 1 league let's see
lukaku is no his
VanelliGold
0
send bitcoin wallet bro you spoke the truth
bc1qeqw567c3ym7pvx69w5wadm0na8wvxp0s4szj5j here it is
yeyciknop
3
tuchel will be okay only if he don't use sarr and lukaku
Pubabeipry
0
Sarr is Maguire boyfriend, he could have easily clean the ball for 2 goals
habbenopsy
2
some times some coaches do some beting
wimbcelort
3
That Chelsea defence was completely weak arsenal deserves to win that game bullshit!! Thomas you have cost us a game that we could have won
SaimahAnayiPrimus
1
Sarr was rubbish cabbage 🚮🚮🚮😫😫
Beatsbybox
0
he's going to be the longest manager in Chelsea's history.....
U kno that’s a lie Chelsea managers don’t last long
Beatsbybox
0
In ur dreams, Tuchel remains Chelsea coach anytime anyday...face ur problems with Arteta.
What problems? We stuck 4 in you today. Worry bout that backline
Cesbou
0
Tt why all this you’re playing with ur job Chelsea don’t have time for nonsense 👈🔥🔥🔥
They will when Roman finally sold ur club to american.
sitacikort
1
Tt why all this you’re playing with ur job Chelsea don’t have time for nonsense 👈🔥🔥🔥
Sixso
3
Tuchel mess up with us today, what a weak defense
Ijehonabel
0
I support you 💯, look at against Madrid . he don't need to sub Werner in the match, because Werner is the reason why Madrid defenders can not join attack, immediately he remove Werner Madrid defenders join attack
Yes. He makes lots of mistakes and people don’t see it because he won us UCL
josilva877
0
Listen bro, winning UCL or not he ought to do the correct thing, what kind of a line up did he put out there and you think with this his gamble, we are gonna be able to win EPL as long as he is there. He cost us some point I will give you an instant, against Madrid, you are 3-0 up, the likes of Morinho and Conte will defend their life out to make sure Madrid doesn’t score, they will introduce defenders rather our coach removed Werner and brought in Pulisic. Check against Arsenal today. See the defenders he used. Those mistakes aren’t needed man
I support you 💯, look at against Madrid . he don't need to sub Werner in the match, because Werner is the reason why Madrid defenders can not join attack, immediately he remove Werner Madrid defenders join attack
josilva877
0
the same decision he made to win champions league, club world cup etc.. loosing to Arsenal is not enough to nail him..he is a good coach...he will learn from his mistakes... allow him to do that..and pls appreciate him...like the wise ones say, u don't appreciate what you have until you loose it.
is that a good lineup, Sarr and Christensen. can Sarr cover for Alonso, we all know that Alonso don't have pace, look at how Saka is moved over Alonso and Sarr and also Christensen is not in our game again since Barcelona completed is signing. and we need to attack he deployed James to back. he willingly loose this match because TT gamble
BeRaw
0
T T is a very stupid man how he ply sarr and Christensen together and also play 3 defenders. Why... This 3 defenders has never favoured us. I think he's tired of his job
Are you sure you’re a chelsea fan?
Singapore2899541
1
Savings for the final match
Bocelnuy
1
But man u out of ECL
Lewischishimba
0
I told everybody. Lukaku just has to wait. Tuchel will be sacked soon enough.
he's going to be the longest manager in Chelsea's history.....
Lewischishimba
0
T T is a very stupid man how he ply sarr and Christensen together and also play 3 defenders. Why... This 3 defenders has never favoured us. I think he's tired of his job
get sober and then comment, that's an insult to every Chelsea fan you fool
Ijehonabel
0
the same decision he made to win champions league, club world cup etc.. loosing to Arsenal is not enough to nail him..he is a good coach...he will learn from his mistakes... allow him to do that..and pls appreciate him...like the wise ones say, u don't appreciate what you have until you loose it.
Listen bro, winning UCL or not he ought to do the correct thing, what kind of a line up did he put out there and you think with this his gamble, we are gonna be able to win EPL as long as he is there. He cost us some point I will give you an instant, against Madrid, you are 3-0 up, the likes of Morinho and Conte will defend their life out to make sure Madrid doesn’t score, they will introduce defenders rather our coach removed Werner and brought in Pulisic. Check against Arsenal today. See the defenders he used. Those mistakes aren’t needed man
Golden25
0
LUKAKU should be sold out of Chelsea *** 😓😰😡😡.. please and please 😡😡😡😡😡😡😓😓😓😡😡😡😡😓😓😓😡😡😡😡😡😓😓
send bitcoin wallet bro you spoke the truth
Golden25
0
T T is a very stupid man how he ply sarr and Christensen together and also play 3 defenders. Why... This 3 defenders has never favoured us. I think he's tired of his job
go and sleep bro you don't know what to say
Foonprst
4
T T is a very stupid man how he ply sarr and Christensen together and also play 3 defenders. Why... This 3 defenders has never favoured us. I think he's tired of his job
sahdltuyz
0
Thomas Tuchel willingly loose this match. this is what I heard about Tuchel before he become Chelsea coach. one of is former assistant said that, Tuchel make decision alone , he never listening to others opinion, that make him did mistake sometimes. he need to change his attitude
the same decision he made to win champions league, club world cup etc.. loosing to Arsenal is not enough to nail him..he is a good coach...he will learn from his mistakes... allow him to do that..and pls appreciate him...like the wise ones say, u don't appreciate what you have until you loose it.
ruhacdlop
0
Chelseafc favoured arsenal boys to come to top four. What about Aspi?
Sesacklmno
2
infact I don't know where to start am really disappointed by Tuchel today how can he start Christensen that caused us champions league and inexperience Sarr I don't really understand the coach to cap it up he also start most useless striker Lukaku am really short of words
yeyaemrsu
3
TT not really ready to challenge Liverpool and man city , because he has no consist squad
sahdltuyz
1
I told everybody. Lukaku just has to wait. Tuchel will be sacked soon enough.
In ur dreams, Tuchel remains Chelsea coach anytime anyday...face ur problems with Arteta.
CkukwukaObiorah
4
LUKAKU should be sold out of Chelsea *** 😓😰😡😡.. please and please 😡😡😡😡😡😡😓😓😓😡😡😡😡😓😓😓😡😡😡😡😡😓😓
Lanabcioy
2
Tuchel should be blamed for the lost against Arsenal tonight. He even underestimated Arsenal team and decided to use the like of Sarr and Christensen in the defense. If I may ask, what's wrong with Rudiger and Jorginho ?
Fupintu
1
I think the coach is to be blame for this poor team selection, what is he thinking make big changes in the defense and he cost us the game and maybe the he think he as won everything he can't be sack
Fecciknty
1
tuchel is not a coach Mad coach nonsense