Seeking to avenge their defeat to the Gunners earlier in the Premier League season, Chelsea welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge for Wednesday’s Premier League London derby.
Thomas
Tuchel’s hosts are all but assured of a top-four place following a 2-1 victory
over champions-elect Manchester City last time out, while Arsenal kept their
fleeting European hopes alive by beating West Bromwich Albion 3-1.
The Blues
are third in the table before Wednesday’s game – although they could drop to
fourth before kickoff – while the mid-table Gunners are languishing in ninth
before the short trip across the capital.
Chelsea
boss Tuchel has affirmed that Mateo Kovacic has an outside chance of returning
to action for the visit of Arsenal, but the Croatia international would surely
only feature as a substitute if he is passed fit.
The
hosts’ only other injury is the rejuvenated Andreas Christensen, with Tuchel
bemoaning the defender’s unfortunate thigh injury as he prepares to take his
place on the sidelines for this game.
As he has
done week in week out this season, Tuchel’s policy of rotation is set to strike
again in midweek, with Kurt Zouma expected to take Christensen’s place as
Thiago Silva enjoys an extended break.
Billy
Gilmour held his own for 90 minutes against Man City but could make way for the
returning Jorginho here, while Ben Chilwell could provide fresh legs on the
left despite Alonso’s winner at the Etihad Stadium.
Kai
Havertz is a candidate to lead the line over Timo Werner, with former Arsenal
man Olivier Giroud unlikely to earn any game time against his old employers.
Arsenal,
on the other hand, are expected to cope without former Chelsea man David Luiz
as he nurses a hamstring issue, while Pablo Mari (ankle) and Granit Xhaka
(groin) are not expected back just yet either.
Arteta
confirmed that Smith Rowe was withdrawn against West Brom due to hamstring
pain, and while it remains to be seen how serious the issue is, Martin Odegaard
will almost certainly replace him at Stamford Bridge.
Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang – the hero of last season’s FA Cup final against Chelsea – should
earn a recall to the fold having fully recovered from malaria, and Alexandre
Lacazette could feature up front as Gabriel Martinelli makes way.
Thomas
Partey was also named among the substitutes in midweek so could come in to
replace Dani Ceballos in the middle of the park, while Kieran Tierney should be
fit enough to start at left-back, allowing Bukayo Saka the chance to rest.
Chelsea
possible starting line-up:
Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kante, Chilwell; Ziyech,
Mount; Havertz
Arsenal
possible starting lineup:
Leno; Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Elneny; Pepe, Odegaard,
Aubameyang; Lacazette
Head
To Head
Wednesday’s
game represents the 203rd meeting between Chelsea and Arsenal in all
competitions, with the Gunners boasting 79 wins compared to the Blues’ 65.
A 3-1 success over a Chelsea team led by Frank Lampard saw the Gunners stretch
their unbeaten run against the Blues across all competitions to three games,
but they have not won at Stamford Bridge since the 2011-12 season, when Robin
Van Persie bagged a hat-trick.
Having
overseen a win at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the season, 39-year-old
Arteta could become the youngest manager to win both top-flight games in a
season against Chelsea since then-Sheffield Wednesday boss Trevor Francis did
so at the age of 37 in 1992.
Predictions:
Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
While
Arsenal enjoyed success against Lampard’s Chelsea, they are yet to face the
resilient and free-flowing unit marshalled by Tuchel, whose side are the clear
favourites for this derby.
Arteta
will continue to be scrutinized following every underwhelming result from
hereon in, but the Spaniard’s side may simply be overwhelmed by Chelsea’s
strength in depth and dogged defence, so we can only back the hosts to
comfortably get the job done.
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