Alexandre Lacazette Arsenal EPL
Alexandre Lacazette Arsenal

Just a few weeks ago, Arsenal were the favourites to secure the fourth spot on the Premier League table but all of a sudden, things have gone horribly wrong for the Gunners.

They have suffered three defeats on the trot and their loss to Southampton during the weekend meant they have now slipped to the sixth spot on the table. Thankfully, they have a game in hand plus they are well within touching distance of Spurs but their next league fixture is against Chelsea, that too away from home.

Chelsea are in great form right now so Arsenal might be holding on for dear life on Wednesday but they have no other option but to pick up all three points. Anything other than a win might end their hopes of a Champions League qualification.

The North London side haven’t found the back of the net in their previous two away games and to make matters worse they will be missing several key players for the Chelsea game.

Gunners team news vs Chelsea:

Defence:

Kieran Tierney is out for the rest of the season so Nuno Taveres has been deputising in his place at left-back. Tavares though has been very underwhelming so there’s a chance that Granit Xhaka will come into that position this weekend.

Using Xhaka as a left-back is a bit perilous because then the midfield becomes very fragile but players like Mason Mount and Reece James can make merry down that flank if Nuno Tavares cannot bring in his A-game on Wednesday.

Midfield:

Thomas Partey is ruled out for the next couple of weeks which is why Mikel Arteta will have to think twice before shifting Xhaka to a full-back role.

Updating on Partey’s injury, the manager had said last week: “The news that we got after another assessment is not looking very positive for his availability this season. At the moment we’re not very optimistic.”

If Xhaka is playing as a right-back then Martin Odegaard will have to slide down the pitch and play in a more central role alongside Lokonga but if the Swiss international starts in midfield then Odegaard can operate in his more usual No 10 role.

Attack:

Alexandre Lacazette is ruled out due to COVID which is why the manager had to make a few tweaks to his attacking formation in the Southampton game.

He used Saka on the left, and Martinelli on the right with Eddie Nketiah playing up front but this plan completely fell flat on its head.

Against Chelsea, Arteta will surely not make this same tactical blunder as we expect him to bring in Emile Smith Rowe on the left flank. This will allow Bukayo Saka to move to the right-hand side while Martinelli plays as the main centre-forward.

Arsenal predicted line up vs Chelsea:

Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale

Defence: Ben White, Gabriel, Cedric Soares, Nuno Tavares

Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Lokonga, Martin Odegaard

Attack: Emile Smith Rowe, Saka, Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal predicted line up vs Chelsea-2022-EPL

Read: 3-4-2-1 Chelsea’s predicted line up vs the Gunners.

Read: Chelsea vs Arsenal preview – Injury news, recent form, prediction, odds, kick-off details