Chelsea Trains with Rugby-Style Tactics Ahead of Arsenal Clash

Chelsea have turned to rugby equipment to prepare for what Xabi Alonso expects to be a bruising battle in the air against Arsenal.

Images from Chelsea’s Sept. 3 training session at Cobham showed players using large collision pads, familiar equipment from rugby. Defenders Valentin Barco and Pep Chavarria held the pads and repeatedly crashed into teammates during drills designed to recreate the physical pressure of aerial duels and set pieces.

The exercise reflects Arsenal’s threat from dead-ball situations. The Gunners scored 22 set-piece goals last season, the most in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s team also uses the superior physical presence of its players to disrupt opposing goalkeepers, turning attacks inside the penalty area into dangerous chances.

Alonso wants Chelsea players to become accustomed to that contact before the match. Chelsea and Leeds have the league’s joint-highest average height, giving the Blues what appears to be a useful answer to Arsenal’s corners.

Chelsea have won both of their opening matches under Alonso and scored seven goals, but they have also conceded five. Arsenal’s defense, meanwhile, has not allowed a goal in its first two matches. Arsenal could also be without Bruno Guimaraes and Cristian Mosquera, who missed training throughout the week after the win over Aston Villa. The London derby is scheduled for Sept. 6 at 10:30 p.m. Vietnam time.