CHELSEA have taken the unconventional route of training with rugby pads to prepare for their early-season showdown with Arsenal this weekend.

Boss Xabi Alonso has got his troops bracing for impact with big rugby pads. Both Valentin Barco and Pep Chavarria were spotted holding the crash pads while their team-mates crashed in them at Cobham.

Summer signing Pep Chavarria has been introduced into Chelsea’s training methods Credit: Getty

Valentin Barco fends off one of the rugby pads Credit: Getty

Of course, Arsenal have many corner- taking techniques that made them the most successful side from set-pieces last season.

With 22 goals to their names from dead balls, Alonso is prepping his troops for the potential onslaught at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter

Thank you!

Arsenal’s team of goliaths like to crash towards the goalkeeper and almost pressure the ball home in many instances.

But Chelsea do have the joint-tallest squad in the league – alongside Leeds – and may have the antidote.

CRACKER
Win stunning £600k 4-Bedroom Luxury Home & BMW X5 for just £1.79 with our discount

RISING SONS
Meet Premier League icons’ kids who could be even better than their dads

Chelsea have made a rip-roaring start to the new Premier League season with two wins from two games and have scored seven goals in the process.

However, they have also conceded five and are now facing Arsenal’s rock-solid defence, a backline that has not conceded in their first two outings.

The Gunners will, however, be without two of their stars for the London showdown.

Both Bruno Guimarães and Cristian Mosquera have missed training this week since their win over Aston Villa.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

It seems the club use them as a way to simulate contact in all aspects

Speaking after the 1-0 win over Villa, Arteta said: “We knew that if we had an injury on the back line with Jurrien (Timber) out, we’d be in big trouble – so we had to do Ezri [Konsa deal].

“Mosquera could not continue, so we know the depth has to be really big when we’re fighting for four competitions in the manner that we play as well.

“He’s fine, but he was feeling like he was about to have something, and that’s why we have the bench that we have, and that’s why we had to bring Ezri in.”