Chelsea and Arsenal will be a big showcases for the upcoming Boxing Day of the English Premier League (EPL).
It is never an easy showcase between two teams. Arsenal and Chelsea will be an exciting display of the Boxing Day, especially when the Gunners are fighting for a relegation avoidance. Chelsea is definitely a better team for now as they are showcasing a good run of form recently and ready to make Arsenal suffer.
But the record of Arsenal in the Boxing Day is pretty massive, and they could cost Chelsea 3 points from out of nowhere. This match between Arsenal and Chelsea could make or break Mikel Arteta’s position at Arsenal.
Afterward the showcase between two teams, Arsenal will face West Bromwich Albion and Brighton.
Though the Gunners is ranked as a weaker team, the North London side has never lost a Boxing Day game in the previous total of 12 matches. On the other hand, Chelsea has lost to only 2 Boxing Day matches. Ironically, both defeats came under the name of Arsenal in Emirates stadium.
Arsenal will likely put on the field their best names against Chelsea as the West London side is a stronger team right now. Veteran names would be encouraged to be used as Arsenal desperately need three points in this display.
Martin Keown, a legend of Arsenal supported the club to be wise with players picking step.
“You have to pick senior players you can rely upon and bolt young kids onto that, with players they can pick up the right habits,” he said on Talk Sports.
Keown believed that it is no longer the playing time and Arsenal has to focus on the match.
“It is critical at Arsenal now. We need to start fighting in every game,” the legend said.
About Chelsea, the Blues can probably also use their best name for the Boxing Day match against Arsenal. Perhaps, they can let Timo Werner, who is being overused, have some breaks. The center forward for Chelsea can be Tammy Abraham who is currently on form and can give the home team Arsenal a nightmarish Boxing Day.
Chelsea should not have that much shaking happen to their squad, exceptionally the strikers zone.
Counter attack will be a key point for Arsenal when they wrestle against Arsenal. Chelsea will likely apply high pressure on Arsenal from the very first minutes of the match, but Arsenal can cost the Blues later on when the legs of Chelsea players are weaker.
Focusing on the long-balls will be another key point for Arsenal. Chelsea can be harmed badly if the Gunners can take on their chances from the long-balls.
But Chelsea can also tear down the Arsenal team easily with the speed of Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, and Mason Mount. Chelsea will have some decent defending test for Arsenal to pass through.
Predicted squad and predicted result:
Arsenal (3-4-1): Bernd Leno, Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney, Gabriel, Rob Holding, David Luiz, Bukayo Saka, Dani Ceballos, Granit Xakha, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Alexandre Lacazette.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal