Arsenal appointed Mikel Arteta as their new manager a couple of weeks ago but it’s safe to say that the prodigy of Pep Guardiola has not made a very good start to his time at the Emirates.
While the performances of the team as a whole has most certainly gone up but the Gunners have failed to pick up points, having won just one out of their past five Premier League matches.
And next up they take on Chelsea away from home meaning there’s every chance that they can once again walk back home without any points to show for their efforts.
Arsenal have drawn their last 3 away matches and most of these results have been because the North London outfit have failed to kill off matches giving their opponents a chance to get back into the match. And given the talent that Chelsea posses going forward, if the Gunners have even a small lapse of concentration, could cost Arteta’s men dearly.
Arsenal team news vs Chelsea:
Sokratis missed the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United and it looks like the defender will not be fit in time to take on Chelsea in the London Derby meaning David Luiz will once again be partnered by Mustafi in central defence.
Kieran Tierney is already ruled out for the next couple of months and Sead Kolasinac is also likely to miss the Chelsea game meaning it will be Bukayo Saka who will once again fill in t left-back.
Maitland-Niles played at right-back vs Sheffield United on Saturday but Hector Bellerin should return to the starting XI in midweek when Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge.
Lucas Torreira partnered Granit Xhaka in central midfield during the weekend but owing to the rotation policy, Matteo Guendouzi might come into the side to replace the Uruguayan.
Dani Ceballos is back to full fitness but the Arsenal manager is yet to use him and many believe this could be the first match when the loanee gets a start in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta.
But we have a different feeling simply because Mesut Ozil has done a wonderful job in that playmaker’s role during the past couple of games which is why the manager will not be willing to tinker too much with his first XI especially against a side like Chelsea.
Aubameyang remains suspended for the London Derby in midweek meaning Gabriel Martinelli will once again get a start on the left flank while Nicolas Pepe operates on the other wing.
Martinelli scored Arsenal’s only goal of the match against the Blades during the weekend and it’s high time that Alexandre Lacazette gets back to scoring goals in order to ease the pressure of his manager.
Arsenal’s predicted XI vs Chelsea:
Starting XI: Bernd Leno; Mustafi, David Luiz, Hector Bellerin, Saka; Xhaka, Guendouzi, Mesut Ozil; Martinelli, Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe.
Injury updates via Premier Injuries.
