Premier League leaders Arsenal take on one of their main London rivals in a clash that’s of vital importance to both sides. Ahead of this big fixture, we will be looking at the latest Chelsea team news based on Liam Rosenior’s latest comments and other injury news. There will also be a predicted lineup for the Blues based on who is available and who has featured for them in recent weeks.
Chelsea Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Rob Sanchez has been the goalkeeper of choice since Filip Jorgensen went down with an injury. The back line has featured Marc Cucurella, Wes Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Reece James or Malo Gusto as the main options. Jorrel Hato, Mamadou Sarr, and Josh Acheampong have come on as rotational options. Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos have been the defensive pivot that is preferred as a partnership.
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Cole Palmer is one of the main attacking options with Enzo Fernandez as the other ten option or as a left-sided option, inverting from the wing to move to the half-space. Pedro Neto, Estevao, and Alejandro Garnacho have been the other option behind the striker.
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The in-form Joao Pedro is the primary number nine option as he’s been racking up goals and assists. Liam Delap is the other striking option but his lack of output has seen him fall to the bench.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
The team have utilised the 4-2-3-1 system that was common under previous managers but have shown a capability to shift to a 3-5-2/3-4-2-1. The tactical setup aims to move the ball around in-possession, baiting the press until they can get forward. From there they mix their approach, underlap and overlap runs from the full-backs stretch the back line and support the wingers. Dangerous central passes allow the occasional ball out wide to open some space for a player to run into.
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The team are undefeated in the league under Rosenior despite the recent draws with Leeds and Burnley. That does leave them with just two wins in five but only one defeat in that run. Goalscoring largely hasn’t been an issue for the side, it’s been defensive competence, often making a mistake or losing an assignment on a set piece that prevents them from keeping a clean sheet.
Chelsea Team News
PremierInjuries has up to eight different absentees listed for this one, with the back line in particular being hit by the injuries. Fofana was sent off in the previous fixture and will be suspended for this. He is joined on the sidelines by the long-term absentees Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, and Mykhailo Mudryk. Jamie Gittens, Estevao, Cucurella, and Jorgensen are all newer or shorter-term problems.
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There should be no issue with match fitness as the squad have had a week off following their draw with the Clarets. Those nursing injuries like James and Palmer should be able to play without any issues, unless they are going to be rested for the tie with Aston Villa.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
There is a good chance that the Blues set up with a back five to make up for the absences of Cucurella and Fofana, the left side of the defence could use the additional body at wing-back and wide centre-back.
GK – Rob Sanchez
LWB – Pedro Neto
CB – Mamadou Sarr
CB – Trevoh Chalobah
CB – Reece James
RWB – Malo Gusto
CM – Andrey Santos
CM – Moises Caicedo
AM – Cole Palmer
AM – Enzo Fernandez
ST – Joao Pedro
Featured Image Credit
IMAGO / NurPhoto