Antonio Rudiger Chelsea
Antonio Rudiger Chelsea

Chelsea are easily one of the best teams in Europe right now and they proved that once again by beating Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend.

The win means the Blues have now climbed to the third spot on the league table and they will get a chance to consolidate this even further if they can beat Arsenal in midweek.

The Blues are undefeated in 15 of their last 16 matches in the league and have not tasted defeat in their last 10 home matches against Arsenal in all competitions. And if all these stats are clubbed with Chelsea’s current form then Thomas Tuchel’s side are the odds out favourites to pick up a win.

Chelsea have pretty much secured a top-four finish this season but until it’s absolutely certain we don’t think Thomas Tuchel will be too inclined to make any major changes to his starting line-up in midweek. Most of the players who started vs Manchester City should be featuring against Arsenal as well.

Chelsea team news vs Arsenal:

Thiago Silva was rested on Saturday but with the injury to Christensen, the centre-back should be returning to the starting line-up this weekend. The veteran will be partnered by Rudiger and Azpilicueta.

Christensen picked up a thigh injury during that 2-1 win over Manchester City and the defender is not likely to be fit in time to feature in the matchday squad vs Arsenal.

The manager had said after the City win: “I hope, I hope, I hope that it’s not too bad and he can recover in the next few days. I’m not sure but this [win] would be absolutely bittersweet if it’s a long injury.”

Mateo Kovacic is another player who is on the sidelines and like Christensen, this game will come too early for the midfielder. Billy Gilmour got a chance to feature vs Manchester City at the weekend just so that Jorginho can be rested.

But this time around, we expect Kante to be rested as Jorginho comes back into the side, playing in midfield alongside young Gilmour.

Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic got a rare start together but one of them will likely drop back to the bench this week, making way for Mason Mount.

Marcos Alonso and Ben Chilwell have been playing in tandem but given the fact that Alonso scored the winner vs City, the Spaniard could be rewarded with another start on the left-hand side of midfield. Reece James is going to keep his place on the right-hand side.

Timo Werner played up front on Saturday but this time, it’s going to be Kai Havertz who is going to get the chance to lead the line as Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud watch from the bench.

Chelsea’s predicted XI vs Arsenal:

Predicted XI: Edouard Mendy; Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Jorginho, Billy Gilmour, Chilwell/Alonso, Reece James; Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount.

Chelsea predicted XI vs AFC

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