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Chelsea face Arsenal on Boxing Day in what appears to be one of the most unequal encounters between the two London clubs in recent years.
Chelsea vs Arsenal will be a test of the physical and psychological endurance of the two London clubs. Chelsea are a confident team, prior to their recent slump in form, they had a staggering 17 games unbeaten in all competitions, and the recent derby win against West Ham will lift these spirits.
On the other hand, Arsenal are performing well below their standards. Of their last five Premier League games, they have lost 4 and drawn 1. Very few will say their position in the league is undeserved after looking at their recent performances. Thierry Henry himself would rather venture out for a morning walk than turn on the television and watch them play.
However, in a match like this, the psychological stamina of the two teams will play a key role in the outcome. It can be argued that Chelsea’s team is much stronger than Arsenal’s. But complacency plays as important a role as technical skill in deciding the outcome of a match. Chelsea will face a wounded animal at Arsenal, but also one determined to refocus a season that is undoubtedly heading to 2021 as a disaster.
Therefore, Frank Lampard’s greatest fear entering this match will be the signs of complacency on his team. With recent games against Everton and Wolves showing what a drop in performance level could do to a fit team. But a sudden drop in level is not foreseeable, and for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team it seems that their next win against Chelsea could come once in a “blue” moon.
Team news
Chelsea will prepare for the game without this season’s best right-back so far, Reece James. While Ben Chilwell, who sprained his ankle against West Ham, is doubtful for the game against Arsenal. Another notable absentee will be Hakim Ziyech, with the Moroccan still stroking the hamstring injury he suffered in the first half against Leeds United.
Nonetheless, the Chelsea team still looks formidable. With the return of Callum Hudson-Odoi from his hamstring injury, Chelsea will welcome a much-needed attacking threat.
Planned XI
Edouard Mendy will be between the clubs this next Saturday. The Senegalese stopper is in good shape, currently with 6 clean sheets in the Premier League, only surpassed by Emiliano Martínez (7) of Aston Villa.
Club captain César Azpilicueta will take his place on the right back, and Reece James is expected to miss the trip to North London. Whereas Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva are unlikely to part ways after a good display against West Ham. As with the right back, Emerson Palmieri will likely start as a left back, at the expense of the injured Ben Chilwell.
In midfield, N’Golo Kante is likely to return to his deep role as a defensive midfielder, alongside Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic, together forming Chelsea’s fittest set of midfielders.
Moving on to the attack, Callum Hudson-Odoi looks destined to make an appearance from the bench, after barely recovering from a hamstring injury. Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic are our predictions to start on the wings, with Tammy Abraham to keep her spot as a forward.
XI planned complete
Mendy,
Azpi, Zouma, Silva, Emerson,
Kante, Monte, Kovacic,
Pulisic, Abraham, Werner.
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