Arsenal Face Chelsea Showdown: Eze's Impact Creates Selection Headache as Injury Concerns Mount
Arsenal has the opportunity to clear another significant obstacle on their path to Premier League glory when they face Chelsea this Sunday afternoon.
The table-toppers understand that near-flawless performance is essentially necessary to secure their first championship in more than twenty years, but Chelsea will present a challenging opposition. Although Arsenal have secured two victories and one draw against the Blues in their encounters across the Carabao Cup and Premier League this season, every contest has been intensely fought.
The Gunners approach this weekend's fixture with high spirits following their commanding 4–1 demolition of north London neighbors Tottenham Hotspur in their previous outing. They absolutely must defeat another London rival at the Emirates Stadium.
Eberechi Eze Displaces Club Captain
Eberechi Eze Displaces Club Captain
Eberechi Eze's masterful performance against Spurs for the second occasion this campaign has virtually guaranteed him another starting position this weekend. The English midfielder will feature in the No.10 position where he can create significant disruption, though this results in another substitute appearance for club captain Martin Ødegaard—who has now featured for less than sixty minutes in each of his previous six matches.
Although he missed the north London clash, Ben White should be fit to face Chelsea, with Bukayo Saka also prepared for the encounter after being substituted early against Spurs.
Nevertheless, Mikel Merino will certainly miss this weekend's fixture and several more in the upcoming months, while Max Dowman and Kai Havertz remain questionable despite returning to practice before the encounter with the Blues.
Arsenal Expected Formation vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Arsenal Expected Formation vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
GK: David Raya—The Spanish goalkeeper had a remarkably peaceful match during Chelsea's previous visit to the Emirates, but the Blues should challenge him frequently this weekend as they implement a more offensive strategy than in the Carabao Cup semifinal second leg.
RB: Jurriën Timber—The Premier League's finest right-back this campaign will face examination from the pace and determination of Pedro Neto and potentially Alejandro Garnacho coming off the Chelsea substitutes' bench.
CB: William Saliba—Despite recent errors and defensive vulnerabilities, Arsenal still possess the strongest defensive unit in the league—Saliba remains absolutely essential to its proper operation.
CB: Gabriel—The possibility of confronting his impressive countryman João Pedro might disturb the Brazilian centre-back. Several errors have appeared in his performances since the new year began.
LB: Piero Hincapié—Mikel Arteta's current preferred central defender operating as a left-back is Hincapié, who has surpassed Riccardo Calafiori in the selection hierarchy.
DM: Martín Zubimendi—Questions have emerged regarding the Spaniard's exhaustion following an intense debut season in England, but a clear midweek has permitted him to recover for an intense midfield clash with Moisés Caicedo and Andrey Santos.
DM: Declan Rice—An unusual mistake provided Spurs their pathway back into the match last weekend, and his embarrassment is unlikely to be avoided if he displays similar carelessness against Chelsea.
RW: Bukayo Saka—Saka and Marc Cucurella have experienced some heated encounters in recent seasons, but the Spaniard's absence means Malo Gusto or Jorrel Hato will be the Arsenal winger's opponent at the Emirates.
AM: Eberechi Eze—Following his fourth and fifth strikes against Spurs this season, Eze will rightfully maintain his position in the Arsenal squad. However, significantly stronger opposition awaits on this occasion.
LW: Leandro Trossard—Trossard remains Arteta's preferred choice for crucial matches and faces the challenging assignment of confronting Reece James. The Belgian will face pressure in both defensive and attacking phases from the Chelsea captain.
ST: Viktor Gyökeres—Arsenal fans will hope this marks the breakthrough moment for Gyökeres following two excellent finishes against Spurs. Sustained performance from this point forward is vital for him to silence his doubters.