Will the Gunners Don the field?
Or
Will the Blues gun down Arsenal?
As the two London giants go head to head as Unai Emery’s Arsenal travel to Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea this Saturday. Both the clubs have changed their game of play and tactics with new coaches coming in this season, in a hope to lift the cup, with their new and different techniques. Both the teams had a different start to the campaign with Chelsea conquering the first match of their league with a 3-0 victory over the Terriers and Arsenal spluttering to Manchester City in a 2-0 loss.
Both the coaches will be desperate to win the London derby, in order to keep their points table running and both the teams would not want to lose in London. Maurizio Sarri especially would not want to lose his first match at Stamford Bridge in front of Chelsea brigade.
When and Where?
Date and Time: 5:30pm BST on Saturday, 18 August
Location: Stamford Bridge
Head to Head
The Gunners have the better of Chelsea with a total of 76 wins, whereas the Blues conquering 62 against the Gunners.The sides have shared 52 draws, including two in the Premier League last season. Both the teams look even and would love to increase their head to head performance too.
Team news
Hazard who just had a 15 minute cameo last game, may start the match for the Blues. Hazard may come in place of Willian or Pedro in the mid-field or may swap with Morato in the striking position.
Arsenal may find it difficult to hold their defence against the Blues attacking forwards with a lack of strong left-back. Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac both being injured could see Stephan Lichtsteiner start on the left Flank. Peter Cech who struggled against Manchester City could be dropped in for summer signing Leno.
Probable XI
Chelsea XI: Kepa(Gk), Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Fabregas, Willian, Pedro, Hazard.
Arsenal XI: Leno(Gk), Bellerin, Papastathopoulos, Mustafi, Lichtsteiner, Torreira, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang.
