Chelsea record signing Romelu Lukaku says he is ‘happy’ at the prospect of facing Arsenal in his second debut at the club.
Lukaku missed Chelsea’s opening Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Saturday as he was still quarantining after his £97.5m transfer from Inter Milan.
The Belgium star, who scored 30 goals last campaign to help fire Inter Milan to the Serie A title, will begin training with his new teammates and wants to be involved on Sunday when Chelsea face Arsenal.
While the Blues began their 2021-22 season with a superb 3-0 win over Palace, the gunners were beaten 2-0 by Brentford.
‘I’m ready so it’s just about getting into the team and trying to prove myself to the coaches that if I’m needed, I can play,’ Lukaku told Chelsea’s official website.
‘We all have to compete throughout the week to earn our starting spot. For me it’s going to be a new fight but we’re all fighting for one cause – to make sure that Chelsea win.
‘I’ll make sure that in training I give 100 per cent every day and make sure that I’m ready for each game. ‘I’m happy the first one is a big game away at Arsenal so hopefully we can prepare ourselves well and get a good result.’
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Lukaku was impressive in Italy but hopes he can transfer his form back to England and says he has ‘evolved’ since spending three years at Chelsea earlier in his career.
He said: ‘Italy is tactically and technically a better league but here in England, it’s all about the intensity.
‘That’s what makes the difference but it’s no problem for me because I’ve been here for eight years and I know what it’s all about.
‘It’s not like I’m a new player coming in and not quite knowing what to expect. I know the league, I’ve scored a fair amount of goals here but the past is the past and now we have to look forward.
‘I’m a new version of that player from before. I’ve evolved and the team that I’m joining is a very strong team so now we just have to prove it on the pitch by challenging for the Premier League.’
