How Chelsea will line up against Arsenal with Hudson-Odoi’s place at risk and Kovacic returns after serving suspension

FRANK LAMPARD could throw Mateo Kovacic into the firing line against Arsenal.

The Chelsea manager is desperate to banish the memory of the desperate 2-0 home defeat to Southampton on Boxing Day.

Lampard's men have won just two of their past seven Premier League games - but remain fourth in the table.

And they will be hungry to ruin Mikel Arteta's homecoming to the Emirates in his first game there as Arsenal boss.

To do so, Lampard will almost certainly revert to a 4-3-3 formation and look to deploy former Real Madrid man Kovacic in midfield - who fans are loving this season.

The 25-year-old Croatian is free to be selected after serving a one-game suspension for a booking he picked up in the 2-0 win over Spurs.

Lampard revealed Mason Mount was left out of the starting XI against Southampton because he had been suffering with illness.

But he is fully expected to return after coming on as a sub for the under-performing Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Jorginho has been impressive this season and is set to keep his spot in midfield alongside N'Golo Kante.

Lampard will be relying on England forward Tammy Abraham to supply the goals after notching 11 in the league so far this season.

The Stamford Bridge boss has warned his players that their latest home collapse is nudging him closer to the January sales.

The club’s Fifa transfer ban will be lifted from New Year’s Day and boss Lampard admits he may be forced to bring in new players to stop the rot.

Chelsea have been linked for a long time with a £90million bid for Borussia Dortmund’s England wideman Jadon Sancho.

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace is another potential target, as is Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell.