Arsenal vs Chelsea team news: Diego Costa out but Loic Remy starts ahead of Radamel Falcao with Petr Cech to play against former club

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Petr Cech starts against his former club Chelsea for the first time since completing his £11m switch to Arsenal.

The goalkeeper was sold to Chelsea's rivals with Roman Abramovich's blessing, despite Jose Mourinho being against the move. Today, Cech will have his first opportunity to demonstrate why the Blues boss was so concerned about strengthening the competition.

For Chelsea, there is no Diego Costa. The Spain international was expected to play after Mourinho said the striker was fit after an injury scare. However, he does not even make the bench due to a "discomfort in his hamstring". Loic Remy starts up front instead.

Chelsea's only two major acquisitions of the summer are on the bench. Radamel Falcao and Cech replacement Asmir Begovic are expected to play some part this afternoon.

Arsene Wenger was able to name almost any team he wished with his Arsenal squad nearly entirely fit. The French boss has opted to start with Theo Walcott as the central striker with Olivier Giroud on the bench.

Only Danny Welbeck, who is continueing rehabilitation from bruising to the bone on his knee, is missing through injury.

Meanwhile Alexis Sanchez and David Ospina continue to rest following their Copa America excursions.

Diego Costa and Gary Cahill, both fitness concerns in the build up to this afternoon's match, are in the starting line up for Chelsea.

LINE-UPS:

Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Ozil, Ramsey, Walcott.

Subs: Martinez, Debuchy, Gibbs, Paulista, Arteta, Iwobi, Giroud.

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Ramires, Willian, Hazard, Remy.

Subs: Begovic, Zouma, Mikel, Oscar, Cuadrado, Moses, Falcao.