Arsenal are hoping to put an end to their disastrous run of form when they play hosts to Chelsea on Saturday. It is a vital game for the hosts, who are winless in their last seven Premier League matches. As a result, they are dawdling on the bottom end of the table and failing to secure a win in this fixture could have dire consequences for manager Mikel Arteta.
Chelsea, however, haven’t exactly enjoyed a good run either. The Blues have secured just one win in their last four matches in all competitions, thus allowing the likes of Manchester United and Everton to overtake them in the league table. Failing to secure a win on Boxing Day could see them drop further down the table, especially with Manchester City having a game in hand.
A Brief Tactical Preview Of Arsenal Vs Chelsea
Talking Tactics
Arsenal
It remains unlikely that Arteta would want to make any radical changes in regards to his tactical shape. So we are once again expecting a 4-3-3 that could turn into a 3-4-3 depending on the situation. The Gunners have embraced a more attacking approach with less emphasis on defensive solidity, but that may not be the best of ideas against the mighty Chelsea attack.
Chelsea
Frank Lampard has built quite a reputation for his attacking approach, which was echoed in the club’s activity in the transfer market this summer. The Blues are also coming on the back of a 3-0 victory against West Ham, giving the Chelsea manager very little reason to shift away from tried and tested 4-3-3 formation this weekend.
Team News
Arsenal
Arsenal will be boosted by the return of both Gabriel Magalhaes and Granit Xhaka from suspension this week. Arteta is also expected to ring in quite a few changes from the side that lost 4-1 to Manchester City in midweek, though the Spaniard is still missing out on the services of Thomas Partey while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be assessed ahead of the game.
Predicted Lineup: Leno; Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Bellerin, Elneny, Xhaka, Saka; Pepe, Lacazette, Willian.
Chelsea
Lampard has confirmed that Hakim Ziyech will be unavailable while Ben Chilwell and Reece James remain major doubts. So the Chelsea manager will have to settle for the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta and Emerson in defence.
Predicted Lineup: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Zouma, Emerson; Kovacic, Kante, Mount; Pulisic, Abraham, Werner.
Key Men
Arsenal
With Aubameyang unlikely to start, the onus will be on Alexandre Lacazette to spearhead the Arsenal attack this weekend. The Frenchman hasn’t exactly been awful this season and has done well to provide the work-rate going forward. However, he needs to step up and convert chances if the Gunners are to have any hopes of sealing a victory against Chelsea.
Chelsea
As for Lampard, he will once again be relying on the services of Tammy Abraham. The striker is in red hot form at the moment, notably scoring a brace in the win over West Ham. His pace, agility and work-rate could cause serious problems for an Arsenal defence that has looked vulnerable, of late.
