Enzo Maresca explains shock Reece James omission as Chelsea captain dropped vs Arsenal

Enzo Maresca has explained why Reece James was dropped from the Chelsea starting lineup to face Arsenal. The 24-year-old defender had started each of the Blues' last three Premier League games following his return from a hamstring injury.

James, who's recently featured at left-back, was replaced by Marc Cucurella, with Malo Gusto keeping his place in the side despite a shaky performance against Manchester United last weekend. Maresca raised eyebrows by leaving out his skipper, but he insisted it was a tactical decision.

Ahead of the Gunners clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, the Chelsea boss said: "Reece is fit and we are happy with him. Since he came back he has played all of the Premier League games and today we took a different decision."

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Speaking to reporters on Friday, Maresca hinted that he could reshuffle the pack. He said: "We're always looking for something different, no matter if it's Arsenal or another team, to see how we can attack and defend in the right way.

"We did that this season against any team. For sure, Arsenal is the closest one to the best team in England, that is City. But we’re going to try to do our game, prepare in the best way we can and try to win."

Then, on whether this could be Chelsea's biggest game of the season, Maresca added: "You don't know how worried I was tonight against this team. I try to take all the games in the same way - serious, preparing in the best way, how we can attack good, how we can defend good.

"I try to take all the games in the same way. Tonight, I was very worried because this is the one that it's easy to drop because mentally, you are not ready when you have to be ready. If you ask me, in the next two games, which one do you want to win?

"For sure, I want to win both. But if I have to take one, I take the next one. Also, because in two games, we play Leicester away and I feel very close to them!"

While James was dropped from the starting lineup, he was named on the bench.