Thomas Partey Arsenal FC
Thomas Partey Arsenal FC
Mikel Arteta and his team’s Premier League title hopes took a hit after dropping points against Manchester United last weekend, and Arsenal risk falling further behind if they fail to beat Chelsea on Sunday at home.
While the Gunners secured a spot in the next round of the Champions League with a midweek win over PSV, their recent form across all competitions has been shaky, with just one victory in their last five matches. However, their Premier League record remains strong, having gone unbeaten in 17 of their 18 league games.
Beating Chelsea, though, will be a tough challenge because the Blues are in excellent form, having won four consecutive matches, and are closing in on Arsenal in the table. If Mikel Arteta’s side fails to secure three points, not only will their title ambitions evaporate, but they could also find agonizingly close to the fourth position on the table.
Fortunately, Arsenal have dominated this fixture in recent years, remaining unbeaten in their last six meetings against Chelsea and scoring 11 goals in their previous four encounters against their London rivals.
Arsenal’s Team News and Possible Rotations:
Ricardo Calafiori has impressed on the left-hand side and he is expected to replace young Lewis-Skelly in the starting XI. Despite Lewis-Skelly’s recent England call-up, Arteta will most likely manage his minutes carefully with some crucial European fixtures approaching.
Talking about the full-back’s national team call-up, Mikel Arteta has said: “It’s a huge moment for him and for the club as well. One of our graduates getting the call for England, it’s a massive thing, so very happy.”
Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, and Jurrien Timber, all started on the bench in midweek but are set to return to the lineup on Sunday. Gabriel Martinelli is also back from injury and will push for a starting role ahead of Ethan Nwaneri.
Nwaneri has shown promise after Bukayo Saka’s injury absence but recently struggled against Manchester United, so the Arsenal manager may opt for the more experienced Martinelli on the right wing.
Meanwhile, Mikel Merino has filled in as a makeshift centre-forward in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz. Ideally, he should be rested, but with limited options, Arteta will have to rely on him once again. Merino has contributed five goals in the league this season, but he looked out of sorts against United and could face similar struggles against Chelsea’s defence.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea:
Goalkeeper: David Raya
Defenders: Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Calafiori
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey
Forwards: Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino, Martinelli