Chelsea vs Arsenal is always a big clash, no matter where it is played, even with this weekend's game coming in pre-season.
Both clubs have no been out in the US for some time now as Thomas Tuchel and Mikel Arteta aim to get their sides geared up for their respective Premier League season openers against Crystal Palace and Everton. Up until this point, the Gunners seem to be ahead of the Blues in their pre-season preparations as evidenced by their more positive results currently.
Heading into this London derby in the US, Arteta's side, despite conceding quite a few goals, have got a 100% winning record currently with victories under their belts against FC Nurnberg, Everton and most recently Orlando City. On the contrary, as well as playing one game fewer, their Blue London counterparts suffered their first minor setback of 2022/23 with a penalty shoot-out loss against Charlotte FC. Prior to that fixture, Mason Mount's late wonder goal allowed the current World Champions to take full credit from the Club America clash.
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With Arsenal in superior form and with another game under their belt heading into the London derby overnight on Saturday, Tuchel and Chelsea will have some work to do if they are to make a big statement over the north Londoners in Orlando.
New recruit Kalidou Koulibaly is expected to receive his first minutes as a Chelsea player in this clash whilst Raheem Sterling will be hunting his first goal in a London derby as he aims for more game time ahead of the Everton opener on Saturday, August 6.
How about the rest of the team though? Whilst two completely different squads are expected to take to the field in the first and second halves, three Chelsea players have indicated that they will certainly be playing either from the start or halfway point.
This is because all of Jorginho, Emerson Palmieri and Thiago Silva have dropped line-up hint graphics on their respective Instagram accounts. Usually, this indicates their involvement in some capacity.
All three have made bright starts to pre-season with Jorginho looking a lot more fresh compared to the tired version seen throughout 2021/22. Emerson is being used as a utility player with Tuchel deploying him as a centre-half in a back-five formation, as well as utilising the Italy international in his more natural wing-back/full-back position.
Silva has yet to be really challenged by either of the Club America or Charlotte attackers but this is expected to change imminently with a hot Gabriel Jesus on the agenda for this one.
Chelsea fans- What are your score predictions for the Arsenal clash in the early hours of Sunday and how important is it for the Blues to get one over on their London rivals this early on? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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