“I know” – Enzo Maresca speaks about who will start as striker against Arsenal

Enzo Maresca has refused to say who will start at number nine against Arsenal, but has admitted he’s made his decision.

Chelsea have a number of attacking options available to them having totally revamped their forward line over the summer with five new attacking signings.

In the absence of Cole Palmer Chelsea have done really well and are the second top scorers in the league with 23 goals, one behind Arsenal and Manchester City who have both scored 24.

Enzo Maresca on who will play number nine against Arsenal

Chelsea signed both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro in the summer, who can play at number nine, and both have been in and out of the side this season.

Maresca made a bold call against Barcelona by playing Pedro Neto down the middle, and when asked who would start at number nine against the Gunners he didn’t give much away.

Neto started at number nine against Barcelona.

“We used Pedro [Neto] as a nine last year, we used Pedro as a nine the last game, and we also used Pedro as a nine for a period two games ago, against Wolves,” Maresca told Chelsea’s official website.

“He’s a different option. We have Liam, we have Joao Pedro, we have Marc Guiu, we have Pedro when we need him. In some games even Ty has played as a nine.

“I’m not saying who is going to play as a nine on Sunday – but I know!”

Cole Palmer fit for Arsenal clash

Whilst Maresca has already made his decision in regards to who will start at number nine, he’s got another decision to make about Cole Palmer.

More Stories / Latest News

“I know” – Enzo Maresca speaks about who will start as striker against Arsenal

29th Nov 2025, 02:30pm

“The better it is” – Maresca reveals which Chelsea player he wants the squad to have a mentality like

29th Nov 2025, 02:00pm

“Nothing short of sensational” – talkSPORT pundit in awe of impact made by Chelsea ace

29th Nov 2025, 01:30pm

Palmer is fit and available for the first time since 20th September, and Maresca must make the call of whether to throw him straight back into the starting line-up.

It will surely be tempting, but Maresca has been very careful when managing players who are returning from injury, and Palmer will more likely start against Leeds or Bournemouth next week.