Maresca's Bold Palmer Call Headlines Chelsea's Arsenal Showdown Lineup
Chelsea delivered a mature performance to defeat Barcelona 3–0 during the week, but they'll need another comprehensive display of similar quality to overcome Arsenal this Sunday.
Enzo Maresca praised his team's performance on Tuesday, and the Italian manager is looking to outdo another Pep Guardiola protégé in Mikel Arteta for the first time this weekend. Arteta's Arsenal currently sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League and demonstrated their European credentials by defeating Bayern Munich 3–1 on Wednesday.
The Blues have not just coped without Cole Palmer recently, but have actually flourished. However, his return to training creates a selection headache for Maresca ahead of Sunday's match, with Palmer ready to play for the first time since September.
It would be quite the fixture to reintroduce him to, and the Italian coach might choose not to risk it with a hectic December fixture list approaching.
Here's how Chelsea might set up for Sunday's table-topping encounter.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
GK: Robert Sánchez—Not many would have expected Sanchez to have such a quiet evening on Tuesday, particularly after Ferran Torres wasted an excellent early opportunity. The Gunners will certainly test the Spanish keeper more thoroughly.
RB: Malo Gusto—Gusto was substituted following a dynamic first half performance in midweek, and the French defender's defensive work rate could earn him another start on Sunday.
CB: Wesley Fofana—Chelsea could genuinely be title contenders if Fofana maintains his fitness throughout the campaign. He'll face off against his former St. Etienne colleague William Saliba here.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah—With Levi Colwill sidelined for the season, Maresca will be eager to deploy a Fofana-Chalobah central defensive pairing whenever possible.
LB: Marc Cucurella—Having neutralized Lamine Yamal, Cucurella now faces the challenge of containing Arsenal's Bukayo Saka. The Spanish fullback got the better of him in the Euro 2024 final, though they've only met once since then.
CM: Moisés Caicedo—There's considerable excitement around the midfield duel between two of the Premier League's standout central midfielders this season: Caicedo and Declan Rice.
CM: Reece James—The captain has adapted brilliantly to his central midfield position, but this represents a significant examination of his ability in Chelsea's midfield engine.
RW: Estêvão—Maresca has wisely rotated Chelsea's teenage prodigy this season, but Estêvão deserves consecutive starts. His individual brilliance could be key to breaking down the league's most resolute defense.
AM: Enzo Fernández—The Argentine has become a pivotal figure in this Chelsea squad, showing a tendency to deliver in crucial moments. Maresca will probably maintain Tuesday's midfield setup rather than rush Palmer back into the starting eleven.
LW: Pedro Neto—Neto is unlikely to occupy the central position he began with against Barcelona, as Arsenal's defensive line isn't as high, but opportunities will exist to exploit space behind the Gunners. Maresca may instead deploy Neto to attack from wide left with cutting runs inside.
ST: João Pedro—Pedro didn't feature at all in the previous match, and his goal output has declined significantly in recent months. Nevertheless, he remains crucial as a creative link player for Sunday's encounter.
