Arteta makes 6 changes | Predicted Arsenal line-up vs Chelsea as £6m ace starts
Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea tonight.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta has already confirmed four absentees, with a couple of players doubtful.
William Saliba and Leandro Trossard are deemed doubtful, having missed the FA Cup third round win at Portsmouth too.
Arsenal are unbeaten in the previous eight meetings against Chelsea, but have not won in the last three away meetings.
They will be aiming to end the winless streak at Stamford Bridge tonight.
We anticipate at least six changes from the 4-1 victory over Pompey at Fratton Park.
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Line-up:
Kepa Arrizabalaga has been the Gunners’ Cup goalkeeper after his summer arrival from the Blues.
The Spaniard played a big role in the club progressing to the League Cup semi-final with a vital save in the penalty shoot-out win against Crystal Palace last month.
He is likely to continue between the sticks ahead of David Raya.
The defence could see one change from the win at Pompey. With the potential absence of four central defenders, including Saliba, Jurrien Timber could partner Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of the backline.
Christian Norgaard, who played as a makeshift centre-back last weekend, should drop to the bench. Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly are assured to start from the right and left-back positions, respectively.
In midfield, a complete overhaul is expected with Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri and Eberechi Eze making way. Martin Zubimendi should return to his customary number six role for the London giants.
Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard will be reinstated in central midfield. Further forward, we predict a couple of changes with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus dropping to the substitutes’ bench.
Madueke grabbed a couple of assists from corners on Sunday, but missed a glorious opportunity to score from the penalty spot. Saka is poised to replace his fellow Englishman on the right wing tonight.
Gyokeres is going through another goal drought, but the Swede has a strong presence upfront. His ability to keep defenders occupied has added a new dimension to the Gunners’ attack, creating space for his teammates to capitalise and score.
Therefore, Gyokeres should get the nod over Jesus and Kai Havertz, who has just returned from injury. Regardless of Trossard’s fitness concern, Gabriel Martinelli could be rewarded with a starting role on the left wing after his maiden hat-trick against Pompey.
The £6 million signing could have easily scored another couple of goals at Fratton Park. He looks in good scoring form, and Arteta has the knack for rewarding such performances with a starting spot. He will be eyeing his third goal at Stamford Bridge.
How Arsenal could line up vs Chelsea tonight
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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