Arteta to make 3 changes | Arsenal predicted XI vs Chelsea as £44m "warrior" returns
Arsenal face off against Chelsea in Sunday’s Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners are currently four points ahead of second-placed Manchester City with a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola’s side looked on course for a 2-2 draw against Leeds United until Phil Foden’s stoppage-time winner.
Arsenal must now respond with a victory of their own against Chelsea on the road tomorrow.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last seven meetings versus the Blues, with five wins and two draws.
Ahead of the London derby, manager Mikel Arteta could make three changes to the starting XI.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya conceded his first goal in the Champions League this season during the 3-1 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The Spaniard has not kept a clean sheet in his last three appearances and will seek to end the run against the Blues.
There could be two changes in the backline. Myles Lewis-Skelly had a tough outing at left-back against Bayern winger Michael Olise. He should have also done better in the lead-up to Serge Gnabry’s pass for Lennart Karl’s equaliser during the opening half.
Riccardo Calafiori replaced Lewis-Skelly off the bench and made an instant impact with an assist for Noni Madueke’s goal. The Italian went on to nullify any counter-attacks through Olise. The Italian has started every league game this term, and should be reinstated at left-back.
Alongside him, Piero Hincapie looks poised to return to the XI, replacing Cristhian Mosquera in the left centre-back position. Manager Mikel Arteta has decided to rotate his central defenders in the injury absence of Gabriel Magalhaes.
Hincapie, described as a ‘warrior‘ by Arteta, should partner William Saliba in the heart of the defence. The £44 million-rated star has a strong physical and aerial presence, which will be required in the London derby. Jurrien Timber is guaranteed to start at right-back.
Arsenal’s midfield seems completely sorted. Martin Zubimendi will continue as the holding midfielder with Declan Rice in the number eight role. Eberechi Eze is poised to feature as the attacking midfielder ahead of Martin Odegaard, based on form and fitness.
Eze bagged a brilliant hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend before delivering an assist versus Bayern. The England international should keep his starting spot ahead of Odegaard, who could be eased back into action after recovering from his latest injury.
Further forward, Bukayo Saka is a nailed-on starter on the right wing. Mikel Merino is likewise expected to start upfront after Arteta’s presser update. The manager hinted that the game may come too soon for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz as well as Gabriel Jesus.
Even if they are deemed fit, none of them may make the starting XI due to the lack of match fitness.
Merino, who scored the winner against Chelsea last time around, has nine goals and four assists from 20 outings as a striker for Arsenal. Leandro Trossard picked up a minor calf issue in midweek, but Arteta was optimistic over his involvement against the Blues.
The Belgian has been brilliant with 10 goal contributions from 16 appearances this term. He may not be risked unless he is fully fit. We anticipate Gabriel Martinelli to be unleashed on the left wing as a result.
The 24-year-old is a natural replacement for Trossard on the left side of the Gunners’ attack. Martinelli has scored twice at Stamford Bridge, including the opening goal during last season’s 1-1 stalemate.
How Arsenal could line up vs Chelsea
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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