India, Sept. 4 -- Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has turned to rugby, not football, to sharpen his squad for the upcoming high-profile Premier League clash with Arsenal. The Chelsea FC players were put through padded tackle-bag drills at Cobham this week, a clear nod to the physical battle expected against the Gunners' formidable set-piece unit. With Alonso facing former teammate Mikel Arteta as a manager for the first time, the build-up carries extra intrigue both tactically and personally.

Xabi Alonso's Rugby Bags Drill Ahead Of Arsenal vs Chelsea

Xabi Alonso's session saw defenders Valentin Barco and Pep Chavarria hold heavy crash pads while teammates barrelled into them, replicating the kind of contact Chelsea expect at corners and fre...