Chelsea might have been knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid but they very promptly overcame that disappointment by securing a spot in the FA Cup final.
The Blues beat Crystal Palace at the Wembley on Sunday but they will have no time to rest because next up, they will welcome Arsenal at the Bridge on Sunday. Chelsea have more or less secured that third spot on the Premier League table as they are currently five points ahead of Spurs, with two games in hand.
Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 matches in the league and to top it off they have netted 11 goals in the previous 270 minutes of football that they have played. The manager rested several regular starters during the weekend so Tuchel’s players will be properly rested before this high-profile London Derby.
Blues team news vs Arsenal:
DEFENCE:
The Blues manager rested Thiago Silva at Wembley so the Brazilian will obviously come back into the side to replace Christensen in central defence.
With Ben Chiwell out for the rest of the season, Tuchel has no other option but to keep relying on Marcos Alonso, week-in-week-out. Fatigue will obviously be an issue for him but the manager has no other option but to use him.
MIDFIELD:
Mateo Kovacic had to be taken off in the 26th minute vs Palace after he picked up an ankle injury and the midfielder will be unavailable for the Chelsea vs Arsenal tie.
Tuchel said, after the match: “When Kova comes off, you know that he is in pain. The ankle is swollen, it’s a huge ankle right now. Let’s hope but it does not look so good. Let’s wait for the examination.”
Thomas Tuchel on Mateo Kovacic injury today. pic.twitter.com/XUdLC4ubhi
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) April 17, 2022
Ruben Loftus-Cheek came on to replace him and there’s a chance that the England international will be given another start after his great performance on Sunday.
If Loftus-Cheek is starting then we expect N’Golo Kante to remain on the bench, primarily because Arsenal do not have a very strong midfield right now.
ATTACK:
Mason Mount scored a goal on Sunday while Timo Werner provided an assist but the Chelsea boss will rest at least one of them in midweek.
Werner is the one who’s likely to make way for Hakim Ziyech while Kai Havertz will move to the bench so that Romelu Lukaku can come into the side.
The most goal contributions in a season by a Chelsea player since Eden Hazard…
Mason. Mount. 👏 pic.twitter.com/94F1XbHXpp
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) April 18, 2022
Lukaku has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea so he will be brought in only because Tuchel has to rest Kai Havertz.
Chelsea predicted line up vs Arsenal:
Predicted Starting XI(3-4-2-1): Mendy; Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Azpilicueta; Loftus-Cheek/Kante, Jorginho, Reece James, Alonso; Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech; Romelu Lukaku.
