Mourinho rubbishes Gerrard’s claims of friction with Chelsea captain Terry

Chelsea’s worst start since 1988 has led to speculation of rifts within the camp, which Mourinho has strenuously denied, while Hazard has struggled to reach the same heights this term.

However, Jose Mourinho’s men helped to get things back on track with victory in their opening Champions League game on Wednesday, and Cahill feels that result has put them in good stead ahead of the Arsenal clash.

Mourinho also joked that Hazard’s missed penalty against Maccabi Tel-Aviv might have been a deal to “sponsor the Rugby World Cup”. Eden is the best player playing in this country. We are on a good run in the Premier League and it’s important now to look at that’. If he decides not to go, he doesn’t go.

He will consider his options on Thursday and Friday before the lunchtime kick-off, with Loftus-Cheek having given him something to think about. He is the best player in England. It’s important to win, to score and not to concede goals. He’ll be the best again. I don’t know if it will be tomorrow or next week but in one of these days he will be man of the match.

Jose Mourinho coached side thrashed Israeli football club Maccabi Tel-Aviv 4-0 in the Champions League match on Wednesday, with the Spaniard scoring the third goal with a sublime volley.

Chelsea are unbeaten against Arsenal in their last seven Barclays Premier League encounters (W4 D3).

Indeed, their title defence has start off in pretty much the worst manner possible – three defeats and just four points from five games.

When asked whether he could feature, the Portuguese said: “Yeah”.

“When you lose matches, you are affected”, he said. After that, if he wants to come to CFC dressing room, the door is open.

Captain John Terry, right-back Branislav Ivanovic and striker Diego Costa were also omitted from the starting line-up.

Arsene Wenger was criticised in some quarters for making six changes to the starting line-up that comfortably beat Stoke City last week in Croatia, but midfielder Mikel Arteta believes it is unfair to blame the boss.