Mauricio Pochettino already has Tottenham blueprint to stop Arsenal weapon with clear Chelsea plan

Mauricio Pochettino has little choice but to continue with his defensive trends already set out this season as Chelsea take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge next week. The Blues have a shocking recent record against their London rivals but enter this game with cause for optimism after winning three in a row for the first time since March.

The international break for Pochettino time comes at both a good time and a bad one with time for recovering injured players to continue their progress towards full fitness but it does interrupt their momentum. The Blues started off the pace after the last break, drawing 0-0 with Bournemouth, and will have little room for error when Mikel Arteta's men visit.

They are coming off the back of a massive 1-0 win over title favourites Manchester City and did it without Thomas Partey orBukayo Saka, two integral parts of their side. For Chelsea, this fortnight away doesn't leave much chance of Arteta continuing to be careful with his stars either, especially with Saka withdrawn from England's squad as he looks to overcome fatigue and injury fears.

City, who dealt well with Leandro Trossard but not as easily with Gabriel Martinelli, use a unique set-up involving four centre-backs and at one point John Stones in midfield to effectively make it five on the field. Despite this Pep Guardiola was unable to stop a Saka-less Arsenal and that alone provides a warning for Chelsea.

The 22-year-old is the biggest threat in the Arsenal side and has picked up where he left off last season. With five goals and four assists in all competitions already this term and a strong record against the Blues. Saka has won his last three games in this fixture and has been on the wrong side of the result just once in the past