With Premier League action set to resume this weekend following the October international break, football fans are excited, and I’m sure most of us Gooners are looking forward to seeing our favorite team, Arsenal, play again, after sending us to cloud nine with their 1-0 win over Manchester City before the break. Looking forward to the weekend’s action, Arteta and the boys have a London derby to win when we travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
The question is whether London will be painted Red or Blue after that highly anticipated clash on Saturday. Whenever important games like this come around, we, the fans, are ready to “take part in the action”. We can’t help but talk about why our team is the best and make suggestions for what we hope to see in the match, whether in tactics or team selection.
That said, we, the Gunners, are in top form as we prepare to face the Blues; we are unbeaten in eight games (6 victories and two ties).
Still, Chelsea appears to be finding its feet under Pochettino. They beat Burnley 4-1 before the international break and are gradually regaining form, as it was their second league win in a row (a condition they have found hard to come by in recent months), but can they extend their winning streak? Certainly not, as we ought to thrash them.
Arteta, our Spanish tactical genius should devise a game plan that will result in another massive win for us this weekend.
Due to injuries and other factors, it has been difficult for us to maintain a lineup in the Premier League recently, and judging by the constant reshuffling of the team, Arteta has yet to acquire what he seeks tactically.
What do I expect for that game?
I expect Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, both of whom came to this break with injuries, to have recovered and be able to start. I’d also like Thomas Partey to start, even if some believe he isn’t ready to start given he’s just back from an injury. Our No. 5’s cameo versus Manchester City impressed me and he since played two half-games for Ghana to help regain top fitness levels.
With the return of Thomas Partey and the possibility of Saka returning to the starting lineup, Arteta will need to make some lineup switches. Declan Rice could continue to play an offensive role in midfield, as he did against Manchester City, and we could get our strongest forward line back with a Martinelli-Jesus-Saka combination.
Do you believe we could destroy Chelsea with these changes in midfield and attack?
Sam P
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Does anyone know if SAKA is fit?
Seems to me to be unlikely, as I have heard nothing to suggest he is!
Conventional wisdom would suggest we start the German at the Bridge, where else better to start a player still trying to find his feet than his old stumping ground.
No motivation, no coaching would be needed than a gentle pat on the shoulders, to unleash this young German international with vital champions league experience under his belt.
Saw video of him in training today with the squad but that doesn’t confirm he is fit to play. My hunch is he will play but nothing will be confirmed until the team is confirmed an hour before kickoff Saturday evening.
I don’t think saka will make the match day squad but I think saliba will be available.
yes, though still minus Timber of course, so nearly full compliment
Arteta to play best XI against Chelsea
———- Raya ———–
White —- Saliba —- Gabriel —- Zinc
Odegaard —- Partey —- Rice
Saka —— Jesus —— Martinelli
despite loss to Lens, I hope to see more rotating soon, the squad needs game together to stay match sharp and forge understandings, not run the first XI in to the ground until inevitable injury and through in at the deep end
If Saka is still injured, I think Arteta will use the same starting line-up, except for the LW position:
…….………….……..…. Raya
………. White .… Saliba …. Magalhaes
………….. Jorginho …… Zinchenko
Jesus . Odegaard . Rice . Martinelli
…………………………. Nketiah
Jesus and Jorginho played very well against Man City, so I expect them to play the same roles. Nketiah and Jorginho must’ve wanted to show Chelsea what they’ve been missing
Partey, Havertz and Tomiyasu could be super-subs again
Gai, Sterling is inform and he plays at times from right wing; if that’s the case I will prefer Tomiyasu at Left back instead of Zichenko. My major worry with your line up is that I don’t see Nketiah troubling Chelsea good defence. Nkethia is yet to be clinical this season Havertz may be better. It’s wise if possible to “burry” Chelsea in first half with best 11 than wait at the 70 minutes to start making substitution.
Sylva, Sterling has generally played well on the left wing this season. Therefore, he’d likely play against White and our RW, instead of Zinchenko
Havertz could be pumped up to prove himself at Stamford Bridge and he’d likely make us able to escape from Chelsea’s high-press, so it’s a good idea to start him in the CF position
But Tomiyasu in the inverted-LB position could be a good option too, because Cole Palmer is quite tall and could beat Zinchenko in the air
Arsenal got to be given the edge in this encounter, am predicting the away team to score three goals against the home side.
Whether Saka is fit or not we will never know until a hour before match time, the gaffer likes to keep his cards close to his chest and loves the minds game with the opposition it brings.
But only if Saks is still not fit would I start the big German though he’s expected to play some part in this one, under normal circumstances this is the ideal game for Havertz returning to his old stumping ground, will need no motivation, could possibly be his best game yet in an Arsenal shirt.
Gunsmoke , “could” and ” possibly” hardly sounds like a ringing endorsement !
More a realistic acceptance that HAVERTZ is , sadly, NOT an out and out tryer. You also say “big German”. I would call him a tall, but extremely slender and muscle lacking German.
…………………………….Raya
………. White .… Saliba …. Gabriel
………….. Jorginho …… Zinchenko
Havertz… Odegaard . Rice . Martinelli
…………………………. Jesus
Jorginho instead of Partey?!!
there should be room for partey in the starting lineup
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal need to field as strong a team as practicable, to limit Chelsea to the minimum competition points.
A loss by Chelsea would put them further behind the leading pack, putting further pressure on Pochettino and the players and causing disillusionment in fans. On the other hand, a win for Chelsea will lift their spirits and dent Arsenal’s progress.
As for “Arteta”, being “our Spanish tactical genius”, surely even after 4 seasons, it is premature to make this claim given the status of Arsenal’s trophy cabinet?
Agree with Stephanie regarding line-up.