Arsenal predicted lineup vs Chelsea - Premier League
By Tom Gott
After the beating suffered at the hands of Brentford last time out, Arsenal have the unenviable task of bouncing back against Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea.
Strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah remain sidelined, but there are hopes that Mikel Arteta may be able to call upon Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who should be cleared from isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 in time for the game,
Here's how Mikel Arteta could set up.
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Bernd Leno (GK) - Aaron Ramsdale is coming for his spot, but as of now, Leno remains the number one.
Calum Chambers (RB) - With Hector Bellerin's push for an exit stepping up this week, Arteta will likely have to stick with Chambers, who needs a huge performance after his horror show against Brentford.
Ben White (CB) - Speaking of players who need to improve, White was no match for Ivan Toney and now needs to prove he was worth his £50m fee up against Romelu Lukaku.
Pablo Mari (CB) - Gabriel remains sidelined, so Arteta will likely turn to Mari, although he could easily draft Rob Holding in in an attempt to shake things up.
Kieran Tierney (LB) - Tierney was astounding against Brentford and did not deserve to be on the receiving end of an embarrassing defeat. Approaching best left-back in the league status.
2. Midfielders
Albert Sambi Lokonga (DM) - Lokonga had a tricky debut but flashed plenty of moments of promise, and with Thomas Partey still out, the youngster will have another chance to continue his development.
Granit Xhaka (DM) - Xhaka's new contract is done and he now needs to be firmly focused on leading Arsenal on the pitch.
Nicolas Pepe (RM) - Quiet against Brentford, Pepe ended last season in electric form and will be hoping to rediscover that as soon as possible.
Emile Smith Rowe (AM) - With Martin Odegaard not ready for this one, Smith Rowe remains the undisputed starter at the ten; and rightly so. He was excellent against Brentford.
Bukayo Saka (LM) - Saka managed half an hour against Brentford and looks physically ready to step up his involvement this weekend, although don't expect him to play the full 90.
3. Forward
Gabriel Martinelli (ST) - Saka's return will allow Martinelli to play up top and cover for Aubameyang, Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, all of whom are injured. Folarin Balogun struggled in the last game, so expect Arteta to turn to Martinelli instead.