Arsenal and Chelsea go into Sunday’s Premier League clash knowing they both need victories.
A draw with Bournemouth and a defeat to Southampton, respectively, on Boxing Day has left both clubs woefully short of form but can their managers – both ex-players – turn it around?
At the Vitality, there were some green shoots for the Gunners against Eddie Howe’s Cherries but they couldn’t find a winning goal, meanwhile the Blues’ defence was shown up twice by the Saints in a bitterly disappointing display.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen to see more from his side after their festive fright on the south coast.
“I am pleased with a lot of things I have seen and a lot of things we practised that happened,” said the former Gunners captain.
“I am not happy we have not won the game but happy overall. In terms of attitude, desire and commitment it was better than I expected.”
LATEST FOOTBALL STORIES
Blues boss Frank Lampard was less enthralled by his side on Boxing Day.
“We control a lot of the ball but we do not do enough with the ball around the box,” he said.
“I think it’s been the story for us for a while, not just in recent times. We need to get better because we need a better home record.
“What we need to do, the players on the pitch, whoever they are need to make goals and score goals. It’s the hardest thing to do in football. It’s a challenge for all of us.”
Arsenal team news
For the Gunners, Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a doubt after a knock to the head and may be replaced by Shkodran Mustafi, while Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac are absentees.
But Arteta could be able to call upon some returning players with Calum Chambers back from suspension, while Gabriel Martinelli, Dani Ceballos, and Rob Holding may also be fit take part at some point in the match.
Mesut Ozil was substituted during the game with Bournemouth so could get another start at the Emirates with Arteta ready to give him a chance to win his starting place back.
How Arsenal could look against Chelsea
LIVE on talkSPORT
The festive feast of football continues over the next week – find out what is LIVE across the Talksport network, below…
- Brighton vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Watford vs Aston Villa (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT
- Norwich vs Tottenham (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
- West Ham vs Leicester (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Brighton vs Chelsea (Wednesday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Burnley vs Aston Villa (Wednesday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Southampton vs Tottenham (Wednesday, 3pm) – talkSPORT
- Newcastle vs Leicester (Wednesday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Watford vs Wolves (Wednesday, 3pm) – talkSPORT app
- Man City vs Everton (Wednesday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
- West Ham vs Bournemouth (Wednesday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Norwich vs Crystal Palace (Wednesday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT app
- Arsenal vs Man United (Wednesday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
- Derby vs Barnsley (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Liverpool vs Sheffield United (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
Chelsea team news
For the Blues, Lampard may have to assess the fitness of Reece James, who missed the loss to Southampton.
Other than that it appears there are no new worries leaving just Marco van Ginkel and Ruben Loftus Cheek out of the team.
How Chelsea could look against Arsenal
The post Arsenal vs Chelsea team news: Predicted Gunners and Blues XIs as Frank Lampard takes on Mikel Arteta in the Premier League appeared first on Kenya Latest.
