Arsenal travel to West London to face rivals Chelsea in another difficult test for the Gunners. Last Word on Football predicts how Mikel Arteta’s side will lineup.
How Arsenal Have Lined Up
Against Manchester City, Arsenal lined up with David Raya in goal, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Oleksandr Zinchenko in defence, Declan Rice, Jorginho, and Martin Odergaard in midfield, and Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Eddie Nketiah up front.
Changes We May See
Since Aaron Ramsdale was dropped for Arsenal’s trip to Everton back in September, Arteta has made it very clear that his number one is Raya for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, it would be a shock if the Spanish international did not start in goal for such an important London derby.
Since the unsuccessful trial of Thomas Partey as an inverted right back, the team have gone reverted to the tried and tested back four that was so successful for them last season in White, Saliba, Magalhaes, and Zinchenko.
However, the dominant French centre-back Saliba has been nursing a big toe injury which prevented him from attending international duties. Injuries of this kind do not tend to be long term and it is likely that this weekend’s clash against the Blues would have always been the targeted return date.
Two of the three midfielders pick themselves with club captain Odergaard and record signing Rice certain to start any league game this season that they are fit for. However, Arteta has chopped and changed that second number 8 role with Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira, Partey, Jorginho, and Emile Smith-Rowe all occupying it in different matches.
The former Chelsea man is likely to get the nod ahead of the others with the Gunners looking for a more attacking midfielder in a game in which they are favourites. The 24-year-old’s only goal since his summer move to North London came from the penalty spot in the 4-0 victory at Bournemouth.
Star boy Bukayo Saka missed the top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City ending a run of 88 consecutive Premier League matches he had featured in. The hamstring injury that he sustained in their return to Champions League football against Lens three weeks ago also forced him to withdraw from international duty with England.
However, while the majority of his teammates have been away, Saka has been at London Colney putting in the hard yards to make himself available for this London clash. Arteta will assess the 22-year-old before Saturday but expects him to start from the right wing. Alongside him will likely be Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli with the latter looking to build momentum after his winner off the bench against the Citizens last time out.
Arsenal’s Recent Form and Tactics
Prior to the international break, Arsenal broke their duck against champions Manchester City in a cagey 1-0 win at the Emirates giving them their first win against the Citizens since 2015. They remain one of only two unbeaten sides in the League so far going into the clash with Chelsea.
Despite their strong start to the season, Saka, Jesus, and Martinelli are yet to start a game together this season with the trio having the capabilities to take the Gunners to another level. Arsenal will likely lineup in a 4-3-3 with two number 8s and Zinchenko inverting from left back.
Arsenal Injuries to Consider
Alongside Saka and Saliba, Arteta is also monitoring Trossard who picked up a hamstring injury forcing him to withdraw from Belgium international duty. If fit expect the former Brighton winger to feature off the bench. The only long-term injury for the North London side is Jurrien Timber. The Dutch international is not expected back until Spring 2024 but could play a key role in the run-in at the back end of the season.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odergaard, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
