Chelsea face arguably the toughest fixture of the Premier League calendar with a trip to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, and Liam Rosenior has picked his confirmed XI.
The Blues take on an Arsenal side pushing for the Premier League title, and with their confidence back after a draw against Wolves, followed by an incredibly impressive win over North London rivals Spurs.
How are we calling Arsenal bottlers? 🤦‍♂️
What does Liam Rosenior need to do to change this?
Chelsea's dropped points from winning positions at home this season
Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been poor in the last couple of weeks. Against Burnley and Leeds, Chelsea have surrendered winning position to draw. Liam Rosenior says Chelsea set fire to four points in those games.
Liverpool’s win over West Ham on Saturday means Chelsea have slipped into sixth position, and out of the Champions League places. Rosenior’s men desperately need to get back to winning ways.
Confirmed Chelsea XI to take on Arsenal, two changes
Rosenior comes into the game having confirmed that Marc Cucurella would miss the trip across London to Arsenal. Malo Gusto started on the left of defence last time out against Burnley, but he comes out.
Liam Rosenior manager / head coach of Chelsea and Reece James
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Jorrel Hato comes in for Gusto, with Reece James good to go at right-back. But the big question mark was who would replace Wesley Fofana in the middle of defence, with Tosin returning to fitness.
Despite Tosin’s return and his aerial ability a possible cure for Chelsea’s defending from crosses, the Chelsea gaffer has chosen to go with Mamadou Sarr for only his second start in Chelsea colours.
Confirmed XI v Arsenal – YOUR thoughts?
Two changes – in come Sarr and Hato…
The key battles as Chelsea take on Arsenal at The Emirates
The main battle is in the middle of the park. If Chelsea are to have any success, getting Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez to work their magic is crucial against old Chelsea boy Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
Joao Pedro will have his work cut out against Arsenal’s defensive duo Gabriel and William Saliba, while Chelsea’s centre-back pairing have got to get it right against Arsenal’s attack and from set-pieces.
If Chelsea come out of the game with anything other than a defeat, it will be a solid result. Paul Merson and Chris Sutton predict an Arsenal win and a clean sheet, but Paul Scholes has backed a Chelsea upset.
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