Arsenal vs Chelsea is a London derby that might determine so many things in the 2020-2021 Premier League season. Both London clubs need a win in today’s game which will kick-off at 18:30, at the prestigious Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal will play the boxing day fixture with just 4 points away from the relegation zone. Coach Mikel Arteta and his boys are battling to survive after recording 8 defeats, two draws, and four wins. The horrible stats have left Arsenal sitting comfortably on the 15th spot with 14 points in 14 league games.
Also, the horrible start to the 2020-2021 Premier League Season has made nonsense of the beautiful way Arsenal ended the 2019-2020 season where they were able to finish 8th on the league against all the odds.
Not only that, Mikel Arteta guided Arsenal into this season after leading the club to win last season’s FA Cup, and beat Liverpool to win this season’s, Community Shield.
At this point, Arsenal’s fans hardly think of such glowing achievements because of the current state of the club. They are not even sure if Mikel Arteta can lift the club from the 15th spot to at least the 8th spot since it is becoming obvious that the club might not be able to finish in the top four.
It has gotten so bad for Mikel Arteta and his boys that Arsenal have failed to get the maximum three points in their last 7 Premier League games. The last time Arsenal won a Premier League game was on November 1 when the club defeated Manchester United 1-0.
Afterward, it has been either a hard-earned draw or a defeat for Arsenal. This has made most fans of the club to start calling for the sack of Mikel Arteta.
In the same vein, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard is under pressure to deliver on the promises that come with the expensive signings the club made in the 2020 summer transfer window.
Chelsea which has tasted the first spot for a couple of days is currently sitting on the 5th spot with 25 points in 14 league games. Lampard and his boys have recorded three defeats, four draws, and 7 victories so far this season.
Though the club have been battling with inconsistency, the Blues have been enjoying a renewed form in the last couple of games. In Chelsea’s last 8 league games, the club recorded 5 victories, suffered two defeats and a draw.
Unlike Arsenal that are battling not to be relegated, Chelsea are battling to return to the top four and probably return to being the league contender like how it was earlier in the season. Hence, the Arsenal vs Chelsea boxing day fixture is expected to be very explosive and a match that might be won or lost from the bench.
Arsenal vs Chelsea: Team news
Mikel Arteta might host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium without his most reliable striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who is still battling to regain full match fitness.
The club’s defensive midfielder, Thomas Partey might not be available for today’s game. He is still out with a thigh injury. Gabriel Martinelli is also a big doubt.
Arsenal Probable starting lineup: Leno; Holding, Luiz, Gabriel; Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, Tierney; Pepe, Nketiah, Saka
On the other hand, Chelsea will visit the Emirates Stadium without Hakim Ziyech who is still battling to recover fully for a competitive game.
Ben Chilwell’s twisted ankle could keep him out of the Arsenal vs Chelsea boxing day fixture. Coach Frank Lampard might also do without the services of Reece James.
Chelsea Probable starting lineup: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Silva, Emerson; Kovacic, Kante, Mount; Werner, Abraham, Pulisic
Prediction: Arsenal 0 – Chelsea 1
