Date: Saturday 21st
October 2023
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 17:30 BST
Finally back to the Premier League after
the an international break that hasn’t lessened our injuries going into this
evening’s game against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
We had a 4-1 win against Burnley before
the break but given the damage done from a poor start to the season, we remained
11th in the table. Arsenal, meanwhile, took all 3 points against
City before the break and a win could take them back to the top of the table tonight.
They have yet to concede away from home this campaign and they’ve beaten us on
their last 3 visits to Stamford Bridge. So you can see where I’m going with
this.
Arsenal are unbeaten in the league so far
this season, and it pains me to say it but I don’t see that changing today.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s game, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, says “I prefer the tough
fixtures. I think we need to win. We respect Arsenal, they’re a great team and
you know very well that Mikel is part of my family. It’s going to be tough
because they are doing a very good job. A very good squad, a very good team,
they are playing so well – a contender for everything to win, not only the
Premier League but the Champions League. It’s going to be tough, but also we
are confident to do our best and play a very good game.”
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, meanwhile,
says “During a good run you want to continue
but it is what it is. We had to use it in the right way. Obviously we have a
lot of players on duty and now we connect everybody with the same mindset and
go because we’re going to have a really difficult game against Chelsea. It’s
a big game and we know that there is a big history between the two clubs and
the type of games we have played against them. It’s a very different one I
think. This season, I’ve been really impressed by Chelsea, they deserve much
more than what they’ve got on the table. I think what Mauricio has done in such
a short time is phenomenal and we’re going to have to be at our best tomorrow.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea,
Wesley Fofana (knee), Christopher Nkunku (knee), Romeo Lavia (ankle), Ben
Chilwell (Hamstring), Armando Broja (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring), and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) are all
injured. Axel Disasi (thigh) and Nicolas Jackson (wrist) withdrew from
international duty, Benoit Badiashile (thigh), Marcus Bettinelli (knee), and Cole
Palmer (thigh) are doubts and Reece James will be assessed, although Malo Gusto
returns after a three-match ban.
For Arsenal, Bukayo
Saka (hamstring) and Leandro Trossard (hamstring) and William Saliba (toe)
pulled out of international duty but Jurrien Timber is the only confirmed
absentee.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; Cucurella, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez,
Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling
ARSENAL (Possible line-up): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka,
Nketiah, Martinelli
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal (6th
November 2022)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: WLDLWW
ARSENAL: DWWDWW
OTHER STUFF
- Arsenal have won six of the last seven against us
in all competitions.
- Chelsea are hoping to claim three consecutive
league victories for the first time since a run of four from September to
October last year.
- Chelsea have scored six goals in their last two
top-flight games, one more than they managed in their opening six fixtures.
- Chelsea are also in danger of losing three
successive Premier League home games for just the second time.
- Arsenal can become the first team to win their
opening four away games in a top-flight season without conceding a goal.
- Arsenal are one of two teams unbeaten in this
season’s Premier League.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in 15 Premier League London
derbies.
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
