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Diego Costa injury: Chelsea striker a concern for Premier League start, Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao in line for action

Spain international ruled out of the Community Shield

Sunday 02 August 2015 14:51 BST

(Chelsea FC)

Diego Costa is a concern for Chelsea's opening game of the Premier League season after pulling out of the Community Shield with a hamstring problem.

Jose Mourinho said in the build-up to the match with Arsenal at Wembley that the striker would be fit, however Costa was unable to play due to a “discomfort in his hamstring”.

Costa (pictured via Chelsea's Twitter feed) is now in a race to be fit for Chelsea's opening match of the Premier League season against Swansea at Stamford Bridge on 8 August.

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Costa suffered numerous hamstring problems in his first season at Chelsea, with the latest problem ading to the concerns around the former Atletico Madrid player's fitness.

Mourinho has Loic Remy and summer loan signing Radamel Falcao to call on.

Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

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1/11Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

GK: Petr Cech

This is a choice made for right now, today. Chelsea chose Courtois ahead of Cech because he is 10 years younger, but the big Belgian still has a couple of (very) slight weaknesses in his game - as proved when he was dropped last January - Cech has none.

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Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

RB: Branislav Ivanovic

The best right-back in the Premier League last season, playing every minute of the campaign. A strong presence in both boxes, the Serbian is ahead of the promising Bellerin, despite the young Spaniard's potential.

Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

CB: Laurent Koscielny

Gary Cahill finished last season strongly after a mid-term wobble but the England man still clearly needs the calming presence of Terry to be at his best. Koscielny's pace and recovery instincts allow Arsenal to play high up the pitch.

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Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

CB: John Terry

The best defender in the country.

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Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

LB: Cesar Azpilicueta

Despite his being right-footed, the Spaniard makes a very good case for being the best left-back in the division. Nacho Monreal is hugely underrated, but Azpilicueta is rarely troubled.

Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

CM: Nemanja Matic

Francis Coquelin transformed Arsenal's season but he does not have the same pedigree as the powerful Matic, who is a brilliant reader of the game, physically powerful and excellent on the ball.

Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

CM: Cesc Fabregas

The Spanish maestro slowed down in the second half of last season but Chelsea are confident he will be able to maintain his high level for a full campaign after a summer of rest. Santi Cazorla is just a shade behind his national compatriot.

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Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

CM: Mesut Ozil

Arsenal's best or worst player, depending on who you ask. He possesses vision and skill that is rarely matched in the Premier League - he must be more consistent in big matches and score more but he is a wonderfully talented player.

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Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

RW: Aaron Ramsey

This spot would be reserved for Alexis Sanchez but the Chilean will not return after his exploits during the Copa America. Ramsey wants to move back into central midfield but his athleticism allows him to be equally effective on the wing.

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Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

LW: Eden Hazard

Despite the form of Costa and Fabregas, the Belgian is still the main Chelsea most rely on in the biggest matches. Easily in the top three players in the Premier League, if not the best.

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Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

ST: Loic Remy

With Diego Costa out with another hamstring injury Loic Remy is given another chance. The Frenchman impressed when called upon for the Blues but he too has injury problems of his own. Theo Walcott has the tools to be a very good striker but has started just 14 Premier League games in two seasons.

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“We have three top strikers. If one is injured we have two. No concerns, no protections. It’s a position where we’re very strong,” Mourinho said prior to the latest set-back.

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