Arsenal are on a roll in the Premier League right now and they are currently one of just two sides who are yet to lose a league match this season.
After eight matches, the Gunners are second on the EPL table based only on goal difference and this weekend, they are going to head across London to take on Chelsea in a derby.
Arsenal beat Manchester City before going into the break so their tails will be up and based on how the Blues are performing this season, the North London side are the favourites to win on Saturday.
Arsenal have kept the most clean sheets in the competition this season plus they are undefeated in their last nine Premier League matches. Mikel Arteta’s side are playing a wonderful brand of football so three points will be their only objective this weekend. Chelsea are slowly building up pace as the season rolls along but honestly speaking, we don’t see them standing toe-to-toe with the visitors.
Arsenal’s team news and injuries:
David Raya has successfully replaced Ramsdale as the No 1 so he is going to start in goal while William Saliba is also going to return to the XI after resting during the international break.
Jurrien Timber is out of contention until January which means Ben White will continue at right-back with Zinchenko playing out on the left.
Thomas Partey played 45 minutes against Mexico last weekend and after the match, Ghana’s coach made it clear that Partey was not match fit.
“Thomas was always only going to play 45 minutes,” his national team coach said on Sunday. “He has been out injured for three to four weeks, he came back for Arsenal last midweek, was on the subs bench for one game and played 20 minutes for the next game. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes.”
The Ghanaian international will be in the matchday squad for Arsenal this weekend but there are still question marks over his selection in the starting XI. If Partey is not handed a start then Kai Havertz, Jorginho and Fabio Vieira will be fighting it out for the third midfielder’s position.
Bukayo Saka picked up a during the 2-1 Champions League defeat against Lens which is why he did not feature for England during the international break. The youngster has gotten two weeks to get back to full fitness and he should be named in the first XI when Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge.
Trossard however is not going to be fit in time for Saturday’s league encounter but this won’t be a problem for the Arsenal manager because Gabriel Martinelli has returned to the side.
Eddie Nketiah led the line against Manchester City while Jesus played out on the right wing but for this weekend, we think Mikel Arteta is going to use Gabriel Jesus in the centre-forward’s role – pushing Nketiah to the bench.
Arsenal predicted line up vs Chelsea:
Predicted Starting line up(4-3-3): David Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Declan Rice, Vieira/Havertz; Bukayo Saka, Jesus/Nketiah, Martinelli.
