Chelsea new boy Essien on bench for Arsenal test

Chelsea’s record signing Michael Essien was given a place on the bench as Jose Mourinho made one change from the side that earned a last-gasp victory over Wigan last weekend.

Hernan Crespo, scorer of that last-minute winner, was preferred in attack to Didier Drogba who was relegated to the bench.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, celebrating his 500th match in charge of the Gunners, left Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie on the substitute’s bench.

Alexander Hleb, signed in the summer from Stuttgart, was handed his Arsenal debut by Wenger who was keen to avenge their Community Shield defeat to Chelsea at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium two weeks ago.

Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Terry, Gallas, Del Horno, Makelele, Robben, Lampard, Duff, Gudjohnsen, Crespo. Subs: Drogba, Cudicini, Wright-Phillips, Huth, Essien.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Senderos, Toure, Cole, Ljungberg, Fabregas, Silva, Hleb, Pires, Henry. Subs: Bergkamp, Van Persie, Flamini, Cygan, Almunia.

Referee: G Poll