Chelsea face Arsenal tonight (Wednesday) in a key battle for the top four in the Premier League. The Blues currently sit third in the table, clear of the chasing pack, while the Gunners are in fifth and chasing down north London rivals Tottenham, who are three points ahead of them.
The match could have huge ramifications for the outcome of the final Champions League places by the end of the season, with Thomas Tuchel keen to emphasise that they are not guaranteed a spot just yet. Speaking ahead of the game, he said: “It seems like things are pretty safe, but they can turn so, so quickly with the schedule.
“We want to play a physical game again, want to demand again from the team. I accept it is very demanding and challenging for everybody but at the same time it’s what you sign up for when you sign up for Chelsea.”
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As for Mikel Arteta, he is looking for his side to bounce back from three straight defeats since their return from the international break. In his pre-match press conference he said: “Very difficult, because at this club it’s only about winning, and they were three different games, but with the same outcome. We are extremely unsatisfied with that, we know that, we’re hurting, but at the same time we know how we lost and what we merited from those games are not reflected in the amount of points that we taken.”
With all of that said and a big match on the horizon, football.london takes a look at some of the key clashes heading into the game.
Reece James and Gabriel Martinelli
Chelsea defender Reece James is only recently back from a long injury that saw him sidelined for a while. On his return, Tuchel has opted to use him as a right centre-back in a three, stating that he may not physically be able to deal with playing at wing-back.
Playing on that side, he will likely face Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian has caused Premier League defenders issues all season with his direct running and neat pieces of skill, even earning himself a call up to his senior national team. With James only recently back and Martinelli very direct in his attacking play, this could be one match-up that will cause sparks to fly.
Mason Mount and Granit Xhaka
Mason Mount is currently enjoying his most productive season in a Chelsea shirt since making the breakthrough from the academy. His ability to find the net as well as set teammates up has seen him become almost undroppable for Tuchel.
He may come up against Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka in one of two areas in the game. The Swiss international has often been used in midfield, an area Mount likes to drop into to receive the ball, while lately he has filled in at left-back in the absence of Kieran Tierney. With Mount play as a right-sided No. 10, wherever Xhaka is deployed, he is set to clash with him throughout the evening.
Marcos Alonso and Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has been a bright spark for Arsenal throughout the season. His direct running and pace has caused opponents problems, while his interplay with teammates around him such as Martin Odegaard also adds to his danger.
Chelsea will be relying on left-back Marcos Alonso to hold down the flank in his presence. The Spaniard has been one of the go-to players following the injury of Ben Chilwell.
There could be a number of players who decide the game and that is just three potential match-ups heading into it. With a big three points on the line, it could be a feisty one.
