Date: Sunday 10th
November 2024
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 16:30 GMT
Our second
string had an easy ride against FC Noah midweek but its back to the serious
business of the Premier League in this afternoon’s game, with a visit from
Arsenal.
Despite putting 8 goals past the Armenian minnows during the week, we struggled to find the back of the net against Manchester United last weekend in a game that should have been there for the taking if we’d put in the performance we needed to. Despite another howler from Sanchez gifting them a penalty, there was a quick response from the superb Caicedo as we played out a predictable draw from that fixture.
We start today
5th in the table, level on points with Arsenal after yesterday’s
results and with an eight-game unbeaten home run in all competitions to try and
hang on to. That will be no easy ride either because we haven’t kept a clean
sheet at home so far this Premier League season and despite a couple of
lacklustre games, Arsenal aren’t shy of a goal at Stamford Bridge. In fact, they
haven’t lost away to us under Arteta in five visits.
The visitors come into the game below us on goal difference and having lost to Newcastle last weekend and Inter Milan midweek. They’ll have Odegaard back for this one though, whose absence has been felt in recent games where they’ve struggled in front of goal, so they’ll relish playing a side with Sanchez in goal.
.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into
today’s game, Enzo Maresca, says “For sure, they [Arsenal] are the closest
one with City. Both, I consider better than the rest. The reason why is because
one club is working with the same manager for nine years, and the other one is
working with the same manager for five years, and this is a big, big, big
advantage compared to the rest … but we’re going to try on Sunday to make life
difficult for them.
The
feeling from us is that we can compete and win against any team. If you don’t
take it serious you can lose against any team. But we have the feeling that we
are going in the right direction.”
Arsenal
manager Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, says “The margins are becoming smaller and
smaller, that doesn’t mean the margin doesn’t exist anymore but more perfection
is going to be demanded in the future. For sure, we want to win, we have to
prepare and we have to prepare to win it, and that’s the only thing that is in
our heads.
Really
impressed about what [Maresca’s] done but what they’ve done over a year because
with Mauricio [Pocchetino] the last six months were extraordinary. You could
see the squad, the quality they have, the amount of players they have and then
Enzo has given his touch and you can see clearly what he wants to do. I think
he’s been really brave from day one to consistently follow what he wanted to
do. I know how he thinks, I know a lot of people that know him well and are
very happy that he is making a lot of progress there. Obviously we will have a
plan, not only for Cole, but to minimise all the quality and threats that they
have and try to exploit their weaknesses, like any other team.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, we’d expect 11 changes again
after midweek. Omari Kellyman (hamstring) is out, Jadon Sancho remains a doubt
(illness) and we all have our fingers crossed Cole Palmer is available after being
kicked around the pitch last weekend.
For Arsenal, you’d think half the squad
was missing with all the moaning going on, but I’d still take with a pinch of salt
any suggestion Declan Rice (foot), Kai Havertz (head) and Mikel Merino
(illness) might miss out. Likely absentee’s, therefore, are Riccardo Calafiori
(knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring). Raheem
Sterling is ineligible but wouldn’t have got a game anyway, whilst Odegaard is
available again.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez;
Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, James; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
ARSENAL (Possible line-up): Raya; White,
Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Jorginho, Partey; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal (23rd
October 2023)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: WWDLWD
ARSENAL: DWWLDL
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea’s only win in the past 10 meetings in
all competitions was at the Emirates in 2021 (PL).
- Arsenal haven’t lost three in a row away
without scoring since August 1994.
- Chelsea haven’t won any of their last five
home games against Arsenal.
- Arsenal have won all six Premier League London
derbies in 2024.
- Chelsea have lost just once in nine Premier
League games since the opening weekend.
- Arsenal have lost just one of their last 26
Premier League games on the weekend after a European fixture
- Chelsea’s only three defeats in their last 25
Premier League games have come against Arsenal, Manchester City and
Liverpool.
- Chelsea have conceded in six consecutive
Premier League home games.
- Arsenal have conceded the opening goal in four
of their past six league games.
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
