Team News: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang starts for Chelsea, Mateo Kovacic on bench

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been handed a start for Chelsea against former club Arsenal, but Mateo Kovacic is only named on the substitutes' bench for Sunday's Premier League fixture.

The Gabon international is coming up against the Gunners for the first time since his exit from the Emirates Stadium in February amid issues between himself and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Aubameyang features in a front three alongside Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling, but Graham Potter has had to tinker with the remainder of his side.

With Kalidou Koulibaly having only played just over an hour after a knee injury and Kovacic still dealing with a calf issue, the pair are only named on the substitutes' bench.

Instead, Cesar Azpilicueta seemingly lines up on the right-hand side of a back three with Mason Mount being chosen to partner Jorginho in midfield.

Although there is scope for Potter to use a 4-3-3, it appears that Ruben Loftus-Cheek will play at right wing-back with Marc Cucurella on the opposite flank.

Denis Zakaria, after making his debut in midweek, and Conor Gallagher are only named among the replacements.

Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Chalobah; Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Mount, Cucurella; Havertz, Aubameyang, Sterling

Subs: Bettinelli, Koulibaly, Gallagher, Hall, Kovacic, Zakaria, Pulisic, Ziyech, Broja

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Subs: Turner, Cedric, Tierney, Holding, Elneny, Lokonga, Vieira, Nelson, Nketiah