Arsenal will resume Premier League action knowing they are no longer leaders as they take on a struggling Chelsea side at the Emirates.
A Sky Sports graphic read Arsenal, who face Chelsea next, were on top of the Premier League table for 247 days compared to Manchester City being there for 14. Those numbers show how dominant and consistent the Gunners have been all season. But they have slipped up when it mattered the most.
During recent results against Liverpool, West Ham United, and Southampton, Mikel Arteta’s men have slipped up considerably. Last Wednesday, they faced the acid test of beating Manchester City at the Etihad and got thumped by Pep Guardiola’s men instead.
💬 "We’re definitely disappointed that we can’t send them home with a smile on their faces, but if there’s one thing about this set of fans which I’ve seen over the last 18 months, they don’t give up."
We heard you all night, Gooners ❤️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 26, 2023
Going by Manchester City’s form, one may not expect them to drop points. After their win over Fulham on Sunday, Guardiola’s men are a point ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand. But, by all means, the title race is far from over, as there could be further slip-ups from the leaders going into the final run-in. Arteta has the task of getting wins on board as they host Chelsea at the Emirates.
The little said about Chelsea, the better, as things are going now. Frank Lampard may not have imagined such a disastrous start to life again as the Blues’ manager. Five defeats in as many games in charge for the club legend has asked questions of Todd Boehly to re-appoint him at the helm.
Those include defeats to Real Madrid. But Chelsea fans are seriously concerned about their league form. After the weekend, they have slipped one place down to 12th, even without playing. Last week, they hosted Brentford, which resulted in another defeat and a clean sheet for David Raya.
There were a few times Chelsea went close to scoring. But their efficiency in the final third came for questioning. Despite boasting an expensively assembled squad, they cannot find any breakthrough. Now, they visit the Emirates, hoping to avoid another defeat and will know Arsenal will come at them in full force.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
From Mikel Arteta’s press conference, there seem like no fresh concerns with the squad. William Saliba remains sidelined for the foreseeable future. So the same backline could feature in the Chelsea clash.
🗞️ On his pride at the season so far
🗞️ On what he expects from Chelsea
🗞️ On @ArsenalWFC selling out Emirates StadiumEvery word from Mikel's pre-match presser 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 1, 2023
Despite the calls from fans to replace Rob Holding for his role in weakening the backline, the English defender will likely keep his place at the back. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny are long-term absentees and will play no part in the season. Saliba could soon join them if his situation does not change.
Arteta could take a call on Leandro Trossard, with Arsenal failing to win each of their last four games that he did not start. The obvious choice would see the Belgian come in for the ineffective Gabriel Jesus, and that might become the only change for the Chelsea game.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will continue to play their roles on either wing in this Arsenal setup. Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, and Martin Odegaard are also expected to retain their spots in midfield, although Jorginho is an option to replace one of those.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Ben White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Chelsea
Chelsea have a long list of potential absentees before their trip to Arsenal. Reece James and Mason Mount are not expected to feature again this season. Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella are also out of the Emirates trip.
Getting ready for Arsenal. 👊 pic.twitter.com/Cu5enGQ0M7
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 30, 2023
There were positive updates on Kai Havertz and David Fofana, with the two forwards considered alongside former Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Lampard’s comments on the latter may have hinted at a possible start for the Gabonese striker as he returns to the Emirates.
Despite Chelsea’s shock defeats, some of the forwards have impressed in recent games. Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling have been bright recently and could start against the Gunners. If Aubameyang starts, then Conor Gallagher could return to the bench.
Joao Felix might feature from the bench again, as Lampard has not preferred him much to start games. Mateo Kovacic and Enzo Fernandez are well-placed to start in their midfield berths. N’Golo Kante remains an option for Chelsea if Lampard goes with a three-man unit.
Much will depend on the defensive availability. Lampard could revert to a back four and deploy Trevoh Chalobah as the right back. Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana will marshall the central defence, while Ben Chilwell features as the left-back.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kepa; Chalobah, Fofana, Silva, Chilwell; Kante, Fernandez Kovacic; Sterling, Aubameyang, Mudryk
Key Stats
- Arsenal have scored in 31 of their 33 Premier League games this season.
- Arsenal have kept only five clean sheets in their last 26 home games in the Premier League.
- Chelsea have lost their last three matches in the Premier League.
- Chelsea have scored one and conceded nine goals in their last five games across all competitions.
- Chelsea are winless in six Premier League games since mid-March.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Martinelli
If Martinelli scores tomorrow night, he will become the highest scoring Brazilian in a single PL season 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/nIlzVAztl4
— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) April 25, 2023
The game at the Etihad was strange for Gabriel Martinelli, and even Bukayo Saka, with both players receiving criticism for being anonymous. It is unlike the Brazilian not to assert himself in matches, but that was the case last Wednesday.
He will not want to repeat it and continue his impressive form this season. He could become the youngest player to hit 20 goals in a season if he manages to reach that mark. He needs to start with a goal against Chelsea at the Emirates.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
The Gunners are in a terrible run of form, and the defeat at the Etihad also showcased their lack of efficiency. Yet, Mikel Arteta’s men have shown they can successfully bounce back from adversity and regain their form.
The odds will point towards a draw for their form. But Chelsea come here with a disastrous spell of results. The Blues cannot create good chances and have forgotten their scoring boots somewhere. Yet, they will come here to seek something and stop their winning run, but the Gunners will prove too powerful a force to deal with.
