Chelsea are back to winning ways and it will be a much-needed confidence booster as the next game is going to be a thriller. The Blues of Chelsea face the Reds of Arsenal as another chapter of the famous London derby unfolds in the Emirates Stadium. Although Arsenal are doing very poorly in the league table, a derby might just be what they need to get a good performance, where Chelsea will suffer.
Lampard’s men weren’t perfect in their last game in the Premier League but managed to get all three points. But Chelsea will be without their two key players, Ben Chilwell and Reece James who will sit the game out injured. Frank Lampard will face a massive question mark about what should be his starting XI against Arsenal.
Let us now have a look at how Frank Lampard might set his Chelsea side up against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the Boxing Day Premier League fixture.
THE 4-3-3
This is arguably the strongest lineup Frank Lampard can have at his disposal with the men that he currently has fit. Tammy Abraham is very likely to play as the centre-forward in such a lineup after scoring a brace in the last game. Giroud might also be an option but Abraham’s pace is an extra asset that Lampard might use against a shaky Arsenal defence.
With both the first-choice full-backs injured, the likes of Emerson Palmieri and Cesar Azpilicueta will get rare starts for Chelsea. Both the players have been used as unused substitutions with Chilwell and James cementing their places. Kovacic and Mason Mount are almost a surety of starting the game as both have done well whenever they have been used by Lampard.
Werner hasn’t been in good form and is failing to stamp his authority on the position and has failed to score goals or even make goals on the wings.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is another system that has been used by Lampard at Chelsea with Kante and Kovacic working well in tandem as the midfield pivot. In such a system, the No.10 role should be bagged by Kai Havertz as he hasn’t done very well on the wings. The German is the most expensive signing Chelsea have done but he hasn’t looked to be comfortable in the Premier League in Lampard’s team.
Christian Pulisic seems to have come back to his best form and has created havoc in the opposition defence with his pace and directness. The American has shined in the No.10 jersey and has outshone Timo Werner who was expected to bring in goals. Werner will surely be given more chances because of the hype created by his signing and his price tag.
THE 3-4-3
The 3-4-3 is one more option for Frank Lampard but he has used it only in the big games against oppositions with a good attack. But against Arsenal, it is highly unlikely as they are doing very poor going forward. Looking at the scenario, Chelsea should win this game easily and should move up the table with ease.
