Arsenal v Chelsea: Match Preview, Team News & Predictions
Arsenal will have a job on their hands as they seek a return to the top of the Premier League table, when they host bitter rivals Chelsea at the Emirates on May 2nd.
Having spent nearly 30 weeks at the pinnacle, the Gunners are now a point behind Manchester City with an extra game played. With five fixtures to go, they’re keenly aware how crucial this London derby is if they are to keep their title hopes even remotely alive.
The 4-1 thumping at the hands of the champions must have added further insult to injury after a grim period of three successive draws. Suddenly, Arsenal’s back line looks porous, susceptible to a counter-attacking overload.
But what better time to claim the bagging rights against one of their old foes?
Chelsea are anything but attractive, compact, or confident. Frank Lampard is on a run of five straight defeats in his second stint as Blues boss, with the side scoring just a solitary goal out of seven attempts in what was the most important month of the season for them.
It’s tough for a fan or a pundit to point a finger on their worst performance this season, as there’s been a collection of many such appalling displays throughout.
Chelsea have won one of their last five matches against Arsenal, underpinning the disparity in stability in both footballing institutions. And even if the statistics read otherwise in the visitors’ favour, it would require more than a miracle to bounce back.
Team News
Arsenal
William Saliba’s back issue has exposed a couple of vulnerabilities as far as Arsenal are concerned. He is unlikely to recover for this match.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny are set to continue their lengthy spell on the sidelines for the rest of the season, owing to knee injuries.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s injury list is, perhaps, the only constant for them this season.
Lampard recently confirmed that Mason Mount and Reece James are set to miss the action for the rest of the season.
Kai Havertz could return to the matchday squad after a short setback, whereas Kalidou Koulibaly’s hamstring strain will see him sidelined. The same goes for Marc Cucurella, while Armando Broja remains a long-term absentee.
Predicted XI
Arsenal probable line-up (4-2-3-1):
Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus
Chelsea probable line-up (3-5-2):
Kepa; Chalobah, Silva, Fofana; Loftus-Cheek, Enzo Fernandez, Kovacic, Kante, Chilwell; Gallagher, Sterling
Match Prediction
Arsenal simply attack with far more pace and precision. Chelsea’s center-backs have been chopped and changed all season, and with key players in James and Mount out for the year, it’s difficult to pick where a goal will come from if they are to find the back of the net.
The Gunners are and have been a far better side than what we saw in April. They should bounce back in tremendous fashion.
Predicted score: Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Wonker. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.