As football in England embarks upon a new year and the transfer gossip that comes with it, the FA brings to the country another delicious heavyweight clash for the football fans to enjoy. This time the two teams clashing are Chelsea and Arsenal. The two teams are currently placed third and sixth in the English Premier League table with the Blues separated from the Gunners by a comfortable 8 point gap.
Football in England is followed more religiously in the world than in any other country. While many have debated that the leagues in Spain and Germany are technically superior, there is little doubt over which is the most exciting of all to watch. English football offers a set of twenty teams in the top division with six of those sides boasting of players good enough to win them the league. Hence the occasions of big sides clashing against one another are way more frequent than in any other league, something the FA happily cashes in on.
As the two London rivals lock horns in what will be another pulsating derby, both managers will look to reach the final of the Carabao Cup. Chelsea is coming off a solid win after thrashing Brighton 4-0 and will look to use their confidence to claim another victory. Arsenal is also coming off a bright display of attacking football where they dispatched Crystal Palace 4-1 and will want to use their home advantage to win the match.
Team News
Chelsea has a host of first-team players in doubt with Cesc Fabregas, Thibaut Courtois, Gary Cahill and Danny Drinkwater all suffering from injuries. Andreas Christensen who left the Brighton match clutching his head is fit again and is likely to return to the starting lineup. Chelsea has no suspension issues to deal with and will be expected to field a strong team.
As for Arsenal, their big blow is the departure of Alexis Sanchez. Nacho Monreal is expected to start after being substituted in the first half last time out.
Predicted Line-Up
Chelsea: Willy Caballero, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Davide Zappacosta, Marcos Alonso, N’Golo Kante, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Pedro, Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata
Arsenal: Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal, Jack Wilshere, Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette, Alex Iwobi
Key Men
For Chelsea, it will be once again Eden Hazard who will be expected to cause the damages to the Arsenal goal while Mesut Ozil will once again be the man to watch after last week’s performance alongside Jack Wilshere for the Gunners.
Betting Odds
Arsenal Win- 2/1
Draw- 5/2
Chelsea Win- 29/20
