Arsenal will make the short trip to West London to take on rivals Chelsea, as Mikel Arteta will target retaining their place at the summit.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will aims to get his team’s season up and running with a statement win over Arsenal when the North Londoners come to visit Stamford Bridge. After an abject start to the campaign, the Argentine has managed to steady a rocky ship by getting some results on board.
It is very rare for Chelsea to say they have three wins on the bounce in all competitions. And with that, they have built some momentum heading into this London derby. Before the international break, they managed to see off Burnley despite going behind in that game.
Pochettino will see those recent results as a good sign in his quest to build more understanding within his players. Much like in his time at Tottenham, where he had a slight upper hand over Arsenal, the Argentine will hope to start a new chapter with the Blues as he faces off against Mikel Arteta for the very first time as a manager.
If Chelsea feel they have built momentum with that win over Burnley, then Arsenal will have been at a different level in that aspect. Following a stellar late victory over Manchester City at the Emirates, Arteta would have rued the timing of the international break, considering he was only starting to get the best out of the team.
🗣️ “We lived together in the hotel for 3 months. It was critical. He has been one of the most influential people in my football career. He took me under his arm and looked after me like a little brother.”
Mikel Arteta says Mauricio Pochettino has been a role model for him. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/uRLaSEEkF8
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 20, 2023
Against City, Arsenal put in a composed display defensively, which allowed Arteta’s side to restrict an otherwise fluid Pep Guardiola team. It was also his first win over the Catalan, as the Gunners ended a dreadful run of 12 straight defeats against the reigning champions.
Arsenal may have made a statement of intent with that win. But it is imperative to continue that form against Chelsea. A loss or draw at Stamford Bridge would negate that win over Manchester City, as Arteta targets a fourth straight victory at this venue, something no other team has done in the history of the Premier League.
Team News & Tactics
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino has some important decisions on his hands regarding team selection. The Argentine is dealing with a long list of players either out of the contest or highly doubtful, while some could yet feature if they overcome minor issues.
Out on the grass. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/vOwUE11ehZ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 18, 2023
At least five of those stars, including Ben Chilwell and Romeo Lavia, are set to miss this Arsenal clash. Others like Reece James and Nicolas Jackson have returned to training, but they are still doubtful due to their recent hamstring and wrist problems, respectively.
Armando Broja and Cole Palmer are also slight doubts. But Pochettino will count on them to feature anyway alongside South American duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Axel Disasi is also a touch-and-go. But Pochettino will count on the Frenchman to partner with Thiago Silva at the heart of the defence.
With Chilwell also absent, Levi Colwill must take on the left-back role, although Marc Cucurella is also an option there. On the right, with James still a doubt to start, Malo Gusto makes a timely return from a domestic suspension and will likely start there.
Caicedo and Fernandez will have the company of Conor Gallagher in central midfield. Ideally, Pochettino would start Palmer on the right and Sterling on the left. But if the former is deemed only fit for the bench, then the in-form Mykhailo Mudryk could play on the left wing.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta does not have too many injury issues, although Leandro Trossard may not play a part in this game after suffering a reoccurrence of a hamstring problem against Manchester City. With Gabriel Martinelli fit again, the Brazilian will assume his left-wing role from the start.
Mikel has provided an update on Saka, Saliba and Trossard ahead of Chelsea tomorrow👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 20, 2023
The big injury doubts are Bukayo Saka and William Saliba. The English winger, who might soon become the face of the Arsenal-Chelsea derby, withdrew from the England squad and even missed Arsenal’s game against Manchester City. That was also his first miss in 87 Premier League games, and we will have to wait until Arteta announces his lineup.
However, having had plenty of time to recover from a minor problem, Saka could start. Arteta can name his preferred front three for the first time this season, with Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli completing that side of the lineup.
Even Saliba, who has had a toe problem for some time now, played with it against Manchester City. He did withdraw from the France squad, as Arteta will count on him. Other than that, Thomas Partey could start in midfield in place of Jorginho, with the manager retaining all the other players that started the last game.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Key Stats
- Chelsea have won three games in a row in all competitions.
- Chelsea have lost each of their last two home games in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have their last three games at Stamford Bridge and are aiming to become the first Premier League side to make it four in a row.
- Arsenal are undefeated in their last nine Premier League games and are unbeaten this season.
- Arsenal have kept three clean sheets in as many away games this season in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Declan Rice
🚨 Tim Sherwood: “One thing is for sure, Arsenal now are a better team than they was last year because of Declan Rice, because of one single player.”
🗣️ “Declan Rice is the difference, he’s put out so many fires – no wonder [Erling] Haaland can’t come off and get the ball.”(via… pic.twitter.com/ijNS2s9Y1g
— afcsphere (@afcsphere) October 17, 2023
It is a return to his old club for Rice and even Eddie Nketiah. But the focus will stay on the midfielder, who was let go by Chelsea aged 14. Over the last few years, he was linked with a return to Stamford Bridge. However, Arsenal now have him as by far their most important midfielder.
On a personal level, Rice has been building momentum and has come to a point where he seems undroppable for club and country. A fantastic showing at Stamford Bridge will certainly cross his mind, as there’s plenty at stake for Arsenal to get a win, and Rice will have to play a key role in getting that result.
Prediction
Chelsea 0-2 Arsenal
Chelsea may seem like a club on the ascendency, but they are levels behind the Gunners in terms of quality. Even when they had some notable players on their side, they have generally struggled against Mikel Arteta teams over the last 2-3 years.
Last season’s losses against the Gunners showed how much of a difference there is between the two sides, and this game on Saturday will help Arteta improve that record. Arsenal have momentum and a cohesive side to rely upon to get a solid result at Stamford Bridge, while they might also keep a fourth consecutive away clean sheet this season.
