Arsenal will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium tonight.
The north London giants have lost their way in the title race with just three points from their last four games.
They are now one point behind Manchester City for the top spot in the table. Pep Guardiola’s side also have a game in hand. Hence, they are favourites to retain their title.
There is still an outside chance for the Gunners and manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a strong response from his players against the Blues in tonight’s London derby.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
Aaron Ramsdale has kept 12 clean sheets in the Premier League but he has conceded in each of his last six appearances. The Englishman will be determined to end the streak against the Blues tonight.
In defence, Ben White should continue at right-back with no other specialist option available for the Gunners. Arteta would have ideally liked to play him in central defence but he won’t be able to do so.
This means that Rob Holding is set to partner Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the backline. William Saliba has not recovered from his back problem and won’t be involved in the London derby.
At left-back, we would personally prefer Kieran Tierney over Oleksandr Zinchenko. Zinchenko has obviously had a fine season as an inverted left-back but he has been defensively vulnerable lately.
Tierney’s future at the club remains in doubt heading into the summer but the £25 million star is the better defender between the two. He should get the nod over the Ukrainian ace against Chelsea.
In midfield, it seems likely that Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will continue in their roles. There is the temptation to play Jorginho against his former club but Arteta may stick with his regular duo.
Further forward, we anticipate one change from the 4-1 loss to City. Leandro Trossard was very lively in his cameo off the bench and grabbed yet another assist for the Gunners through Holding’s goal.
In our opinion, the Belgium international should be rewarded with a starting spot. Gabriel Martinelli could be the odd-man out in attack, thus allowing Trossard to start on the left wing.
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka should be nailed-on starters in the number 10 and right wing roles. Gabriel Jesus is expected to lead the attack despite drawing blank in the last two games.
How Arsenal could line up against Chelsea
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
