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Predicted Chelsea-Arsenal squads: Possible starting 11s, analysis, team news
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Predicted Chelsea-Arsenal squads: Possible starting 11s, analysis, team news

It’s always a big game but with Chelsea and Arsenal level on points, Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge has become even bigger.

( MORE: Preview, how to watch live — Chelsea-Arsenal )

Both Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta have some important selection decisions to make; Major players are both struggling with injuries. Will Cole Palmer and Declan Rice be fit? Who will start at centre-back for Chelsea? Is Martin Odegaard ready to start?

Below is a look at the Chelsea-Arsenal predicted squads, with analysis and team news from both Premier League giants.


Chelsea predicted the squad

——- Sanchez ——-

—- James —- Fofana —- Colwill —- Cucurella —-

—— Lavia —— Caicedo ——

—- Madeuke —- Palmer —- Neto —-

—— Jackson ——

There are two main selection issues for Maresca. The first was defensive; Reece James and Malo Gusto have frequently swapped right and left backs so far this season. But thanks to Marc Cucurella’s one-on-one defensive ability, he will surely get the go-ahead to start at left back to cover up Bukayo Saka, right? This likely means James will start at right tackle. Robert Sanchez has made some big mistakes in goal this season, but it looks like he will keep his place for now. The midfield is completed with Lavia and Caicedo providing much better defensive cover and both can press high and win the ball back. The other main draft issue concerns the availability of Cole Palmer. If he is fit he will start centrally but if not we could see Enzo Fernandez starting in a more advanced role or even Mudryk starting on the left and Neto shifting under Jackson. Or maybe Joao Felix can make a rare start in his role in the 10th? Maresca certainly has options if Palmer is unavailable.

Arsenal’s squad prediction

——- Raya ——-

—- White —- Saliba —- Gabriel —- Timber —-

—— Partey —— Rice ——

———- Saka —— Trossard —- Martinelli —-

——- Havertz ——-

Arsenal’s back four are distinctive and look solid and solid. Defense hasn’t really been a problem for the Gunners. He was in midfield and attacking from where they looked sluggish. Odegaard’s late appearance off the bench against Inter on Wednesday was a huge boost, but he won’t start this time. If Declan Rice is unavailable, Arteta looks set to sit alongside Partey in a stronger midfield pairing with Jorginho. Mikel Merino has struggled in his first few games at Arsenal and perhaps needs some more time to understand and understand the role Arteta wants from his midfielders. Saka and Martinelli will certainly start out wide, while there is a real case for youngster Ethan Nwaneri to start from 10th ahead of Leandro Trossard. The latter is struggling to gain confidence and looks tired, while Nwaneri has shown his brilliance and is pushing hard for the start. If Kai Havertz is ready to play after his head injury, then he will be in the top tier. Otherwise, expect Gabriel Jesus to start with a very lively performance off the bench against Inter in midweek.