Hiddink: Character references

• Guus Hiddink has been discussing three members of his current squad, along with one player he managed previously and who will be in direct opposition when we face Arsenal away tomorrow.
• The Blues take on the leaders in north London looking to extend our unbeaten league run against the Gunners to nine matches.
• There was good news yesterday when, in his pre-match press conference, Hiddink said both Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are available for selection.
• The Belgian has not featured since limping out of our win over Crystal Palace earlier this month, and Hiddink is pleased to have him back.
• ‘If Eden Hazard is game-fit, because he must grow into game fitness, he can make a good difference to the team,’ said the Chelsea manager.
• ‘He hasn’t been involved in training much recently but from what I’ve seen he can be the difference on the condition he is game-fit.’
• Diego Costa has been in impressive form of late on the pitch, scoring five goals in his last five appearances, including the first of our three against Everton last weekend.
• Hiddink explained what type of character the striker is away from the field of play.
• ‘When he comes in he’s a lot of joy and shows a lot of courtesy to everyone,’ said the Blues boss. ‘In the canteen for instance, dealing with people who prepare the pitch, all the staff, he’s not snobby or arrogant.
• ‘When he goes on the pitch there is a desperate will, almost at any cost, to win. There is a slight change in character and behaviour. But I prefer to have players who sometimes you need to control rather than those who need a little push, that’s more difficult.’
• Another player the manager spoke about was Nemanja Matic, who started the game against Everton before being replaced by Oscar shortly after we had fallen behind.
• Hiddink, however, is happy with the Serbian and believes there is more to his game than simply offering a defensive shield to the back four.
• ‘When you have an array of games I don’t think of just 10 outfield players and one goalie,’ he said.
• ‘It depends on the game; sometimes you like to play with two screening players, although Maticcan play more advanced than just in the controlling midfield position.
• ‘I’m happy with his commitment and the way he can build the game and even attack. I don’t see him as just a defensive midfielder.’
• If the Blues are to emerge from the Emirates with a win on Sunday we will need to get the better of a player who enjoyed huge success during his time at Stamford Bridge prior to making the switch across the capital.
• Chelsea supporters are fully aware of the incredibly high standards Petr Cech can reach, and he has been in fine form of late. Hiddink worked with Cech during his first spell at the club in 2009 and spoke about his quality.
• ‘Petr was and still is so determined, ambitious and detailed in his work,’ said Hiddink. ‘I remember being with him and he was looking at the computer, thinking about how a player was standing when he took a shot.
• ‘He’d look at distances for free-kicks and work out if a player put his foot to the inside or outside whether the ball would curl to the left or right. With goalkeepers like that, as long as they maintain their fitness they can go on for many years. He’s a very good example of high professionalism. He has proven in recent years he is among the top in the world.
• ‘In a season, even when you are at the top you are not always good in 38 games. You have a certain period, usually when the leaves start falling, where the team might start dropping a bit. At that moment the good goalkeepers save points for the team and he’s doing that.’