Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri had contrasting starts to their EPL careers

Arsenal seek to avoid a Bridge too far at Chelsea

by Jimmy Whitehead

The managers of Arsenal and Chelsea had contrasting starts to their Premier League debuts. For the Gunners it was a 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City and for the Blues a convincing 3-0 win against Huddersfield Town in West Yorkshire. Although the results were vastly different, both managers are still finding their feet in the Premier League.

Team News

There is an issue at left back for the Gunners as Ainsley Maitland-Niles was carted off in the first game with a fractured leg. With Sead Kolasniac out for eight to ten weeks with a knee injury and Nacho Monreal pushing for fitness, we could see Stephane Lichsteiner start at left-back after replacing Maitland-Niles  against City. Laurent Koscielny will be out until the end of the year with a ruptured tendon. So we could see the same XI that finished the game at the Emirates.

The only exception will probably be Lucas Torreira in for the young Mattéo Guendouzi who looked overwhelmed in his Premier League debut. Alexandre Lacazette starting at the top of the attack should give Arsenal more of an attacking threat. Pierre Aubameyang looks more comfortable playing on the wing then in the centre.

The main injury issue for Chelsea is Cesc Fabregas, who picked up a knock in the preseason and hasn’t fully recovered. The Blues probably won’t risk the former Arsenal player. Marco van Ginkel has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and won’t play a part in the season.

Eden Hazard looks to get his first start of the season after his World Cup heroics for Belgium, replacing Willian at left wing rather than Pedro who impressed manager Maurizio Sarri. Mateo Kovacic may make an appearance on the bench after being left out last weekend.

Tough Test

For the second week in a row, Arsenal manager Unai Emery has faced a top five opponent from last season. The first test didn’t go well. If the Gunners lose this game against Chelsea, then this will be the first time since the 1992/93 season that they have lost the first two games of the season. That would also leave them six points off the lead, the maximum possible at this early stage.

Goals have been an issue for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. They haven’t scored In five of the last six games there. This can help Sarri as he likes to make the home ground a fortress. This is something all managers say but he’s walked that walk. At Napoli the Italian only lost four games out of 57 at home in Serie A.

As both managers are still experimenting with formations and who plays what roles, we could see an open game. Chelsea looked vulnerable at set plays against Huddersfield Town and Arsenal can exploit the issue.

With Eden Hazard back for the Blues and the weak full-backs for Arsenal, the Belgian could run riot. If Hazard is at his peak, then he is unstoppable. An impressive performance from Pedro last weekend could help spark life into the player who was stuck on the side lines for a couple of seasons.

The two teams already faced off in the preseason which gave Arsenal bragging rights as they won on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Dublin. This could give a confidence boost to the Gunners and Emery. After the dominant performance from Manchester City in the last game he needs it.

Prediction: Chelsea 3 : 1 Arsenal