Team News: Chelsea make eight changes

By Joe Fish, Reporter
Published: 21 April 2012 11:06 AM

With an eye on their Champions League semi-final second-leg tie with Barcleona, Roberto Di Matteo rings the changes for Chelsea's Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo has rotated his squad for their Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates this afternoon.

There are eight changes in total, with only Petr Cech, Gary Cahill and John Terry retaining their places from Wednesday's 1-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League.

With an eye on the second-leg tie at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, Di Matteo has rested key names such as Juan Mata and Frank Lampard.

Fernando Torres starts up front in place of the injured Didier Drogba while there are also recalls for Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou in attack.

Jose Bosingwa comes into the side for the suspended Branislav Ivanovic while young full-back Ryan Bertrand is awarded a start in place of the rested Ashley Cole.

For the Gunners, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is named in the starting XI at the expense of Yossi Benayoun, who is ineligible to face his parent club.

Laurent Koscielny is back from suspension to take his place in the centre of the Arsenal defence but Mikel Arteta misses out through injury and is replaced by Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal: Sczcesny; Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs; Song, Rosicky, Ramsey; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie.

Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa, Cahill, Terry, Bertrand; Romeu, Essien, Malouda; Kalou, Sturridge, Torres