Arsenal predicted lineup vs Chelsea: Strong XI expected from Mikel Arteta for Sunday’s pre-season clash at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Now we’re talking. Pre-season may not have gone according to plan in regards to fixtures and travel but Arsenal have still managed to enjoy four matches against a decent level of opposition. With the Mind Series coming up, it’s time for a real test.
Scotland was the perfect getaway to start the summer. While results against Hibernian and Rangers may not have produced the desired results, the short travel time and sunny climate provided a neat backdrop to regaining fitness.
The cancelled Florida Cup may well have turned out to be a blessing in disguise so long as those affected with the coronavirus are recovering well, as the reduced (almost non-existent) travel has allowed for additional training sessions.
Fitness has improved across each fixture as per usual, with Millwall being put to the sword 4-1 at London Colney before a repeat result against Watford on Wednesday saw Arsenal make it back-to-back victories.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Chelsea: Strong XI expected from Mikel Arteta for Sunday’s pre-season clash at the Emirates Stadium
With the fans in attendance on Sunday, the visit of Chelsea will be the sternest test yet. Unfortunately the Blues won a pretty special trophy last season meaning they needn’t be too concerned about their own lack of signings, since you tend not to fix what isn’t broken.
Arsenal have three news boys heading into the Emirates Stadium clash and it will be interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta opts to hand one of them his first start in front of his new supporters.
A strong side is expected when Chelsea come to town given that the final fixture of pre-season, against Tottenham, comes just four full days before the actual Premier League campaign begins on August 13.
The fans will get their first real glimpse of what the team looks like heading into 2021/22 and the manager knows a solid display will do wonders to lift the mood as fans begin to grow restless over the lack of transfer activity in and out of the club. The team will reflect the quality of the opposition.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Bernd Leno of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 19, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Bernd Leno (GK) – Being placed straight back into the starting lineup for the Watford clash despite only arriving from holiday a few days prior, Leno’s importance was made clear. That is helped by him being supported by a 19-year-old without any top-flight experience, and Alex Runarsson.
Calum Chambers (RB) – Played centre-back last time and showed strong positioning. However, he is best at right-back and on Sunday it’s likely that his fellow full-back will do the majority of the attacking.
Rob Holding (CB) – It’s either Holding or Chambers to play here given Ben White is not yet up to speed, and Chambers being better suited to full-back makes this decision a fairly obvious one.
Pablo Mari (CB) – Same as above only that if it isn’t Mari then it’s Sead Kolasinac, which nobody wants to see. Heading to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, you’d be a touch miffed that you’re hard earned money was partly being spent on watching Kolasinac playing centre-back.
Kieran Tierney (LB) – Scored a half-volley with his right foot against Watford (we’ll ignore where he scored from) and looked sharp as a knife when he came on. Nuno Tavares is still very raw and will need time so Tierney is the obvious pick.
result against Watford</a> on Wednesday saw Arsenal make it back-to-back victories.</p>
<h2>Arsenal predicted lineup vs Chelsea: Strong XI expected from Mikel Arteta for Sunday’s pre-season clash at the Emirates Stadium</h2>
<p>With the fans in attendance on Sunday, the visit of Chelsea will be the sternest test yet. Unfortunately the Blues won a pretty special trophy last season meaning they needn’t be too concerned about their own lack of signings, since you tend not to fix what isn’t broken.</p>
<p>Arsenal have three news boys heading into the Emirates Stadium clash and it will be interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta opts to hand one of them his first start in front of his new supporters.</p>
<p>A strong side is expected when Chelsea come to town given that the final fixture of pre-season, against Tottenham, comes just four full days before the actual <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"https://www.90min.com/leagues/premier-league" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier League</a> campaign begins on August 13.</p>
<p>The fans will get their first real glimpse of what the team looks like heading into 2021/22 and the manager knows a solid display will do wonders to lift the mood as fans begin to grow restless over the lack of transfer activity in and out of the club. The team will reflect the quality of the opposition.</p>
<div id="attachment_116394" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-116394" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1318936182-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Bernd Leno" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Bernd Leno of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 19, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Goalkeeper & Defenders</h2>
<p><strong>Bernd Leno (GK) – </strong>Being placed straight back into the starting lineup for the Watford clash despite only arriving from holiday a few days prior, Leno’s importance was made clear. That is helped by him being supported by a 19-year-old without any top-flight experience, and Alex Runarsson.</p>
<p><strong>Calum Chambers (RB) – </strong>Played centre-back last time and showed strong positioning. However, he is best at right-back and on Sunday it’s likely that his fellow full-back will do the majority of the attacking.</p>
<p><strong>Rob Holding (CB) – </strong>It’s either Holding or Chambers to play here given <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/06/24/arsenal-white-signing-4-3-3-switch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben White</a> is not yet up to speed, and Chambers being better suited to full-back makes this decision a fairly obvious one.</p>
<p><strong>Pablo Mari (CB) – </strong>Same as above only that if it isn’t Mari then it’s Sead Kolasinac, which nobody wants to see. Heading to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, you’d be a touch miffed that you’re hard earned money was partly being spent on watching Kolasinac playing centre-back.</p>
<p><strong>Kieran Tierney (LB) – </strong>Scored a half-volley with his right foot against Watford (we’ll ignore where he scored from) and looked sharp as a knife when he came on. Nuno Tavares is still very raw and will need time so Tierney is the obvious pick.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfielders </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-117534" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1233972543-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Thomas Partey" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JULY 13: Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the pre season friendly between Hibernian and Arsenal at Easter Road on July 13, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2><strong>Midfielders</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Thomas Partey (CM) – </strong>Partey is now <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/21/3-arsenal-stars-pre-season-watch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>the</em> senior midfielder</a> in that dressing room. We haven’t seen the leadership side to him all too much since his arrival, which is entirely understandable given Granit Xhaka’s role last season and it being the 28-year-old’s first campaign in north London.</p>
<p>He has to be a commander of that area and based on his actions in pre-season, he is even beginning to demand free-kick duties which hints towards that authority growing.</p>
<p>Was excellent at Stamford Bridge last season.</p>
<p><strong>Albert Sambi Lokonga (CM) – </strong>This is the area of the pitch most up for debate. While Arteta has hinted at his preference for a Sambi and Partey duo in the middle of the park with his substitutions in the past two matches, he may want to go for more experience for this fixture.</p>
<p>Looking at it from another perspective, it is still pre-season. Taking on a rival at home ensures this isn’t a friendly of any sorts, but given there are no points riding on this it may be the best chance the manager gets to see how Sambi copes against this level of opposition.</p>
<p><strong>Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – </strong>If Arsenal want to win against the best then they need their best players on the pitch. Play Smith Rowe and the Gunners have a higher chance of success. It’s as simple as that.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Forwards </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-117301" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1233976425-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JULY 13: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Pre-Season Friendly between Hibernian and Arsenal at Easter Road on July 13, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2><strong>Forwards</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Nicolas Pepe (RW) – </strong>He may have only scored the one goal in pre-season and missed a penalty in the opening game, but Pepe looks ready physically and mentally.</p>
<p>Having got up to speed quickly since returning from his break it’s clear he’s seeking to carry over his late season form into the new campaign. With Bukayo Saka not set to be ready in time and Willian finally behind the Ivorian in the pecking order, this is Pepe’s chance to shine.</p>
<p>That can start against Chelsea.</p>
<p><strong>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – </strong>Who has looked like the better striker so far in pre-season? Lacazette, you’ve got to say. However, Aubameyang has been demonstrating strong movement, enhanced link-up play and speed across the turf to suggest he’s in good shape for the coming campaign.</p>
<p>Yet to find that elusive goal, which is slightly concerning, when it comes it will do him the world of good. He needs it, hence why he needs to keep starting. Arteta will see it the same way.</p>
<p><strong>Eddie Nketiah (LW) – </strong>Another position up for grabs in this one, the manager has an interesting decision on his hands to make.</p>
<p>Nketiah had a very strong outing against Watford and would normally warrant a place in the side but this is pre-season and he looks certain to be sold this summer. So, do you keep him in the <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/18/arsenal-7-players-transfer-departures/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shop window</a>, or play the others deserving of minutes to get them building their own fitness?</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="4 talking points vs Watford" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/28/arsenal-watford-4-talking-points/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-predicted-lineup-chelsea/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/28/arsenal-watford-4-talking-points/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 4 talking points vs Watford </a> </div>
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<p>Interesting choice to make.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
