Arsenal face Chelsea on Tuesday, looking for revenge after their late home defeat to the same opposition last month.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on January 11, 2020, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Arsenal put in a good performance in their last outing against Chelsea, but they threw it all away at the end. Having taken a 1-0 lead into the final 10 minutes, Bernd Leno missed a punch and Shkodran Mustafi backed off Tammy Abraham into his own goal.

Chelsea have a big advantage over Mikel Arteta’s side now. They’re 10 points ahead in fourth place, whilst Arsenal sit 10th. A win is the only way to vaguely keep any top-four ambitions alive. Even then, it’s probably too late, but a derby win would be nice anyway.

Let’s have a look at our Arsenal predicted lineup for the Chelsea clash.

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno after the game between Arsenal and Sheffield United (Photo via 90Min)
Bernd Leno after the game between Arsenal and Sheffield United (Photo via 90Min)

Bernd Leno will keep his place in the team. Emi Martinez will make the bench as usual. Matt Macey is travelling with the squad for each game and helping the other two warm up, so expect him to turn up as well.

Defence

Arsenal FC v Sheffield United Premier League 1579431453
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2020, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

No Kieran Tierney, no Sead Kolasinac, so Bukayo Saka has the job at left-back again. Hector Bellerin is back in the squad at right-back, but it’s safer if he waits for the Bournemouth game to start. Ainsley Maitland-Niles will keep his place for now.

David Luiz is sure to make the lineup, but Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a doubt with illness. It’s really 50/50 whether he makes the team or Shkodran Mustafi stays in. It’s hard to see Rob Holding starting his first league game since early November.

Calum Chambers is out for the long term after successful surgery on his knee.

Midfield

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal controls the ball during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 06, 2020, in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal controls the ball during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 06, 2020, in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

We expect the same midfield that started against Sheffield United. Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka at the base of midfield, Mesut Özil ahead of them.

Dani Ceballos made the squad against Manchester United, Leeds United and Sheffield United, but Arteta appears hesitant to use him. It would be a surprise to see him suddenly start vs Chelsea, and the same goes for Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock.

Forwards

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 18: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2020, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

There really aren’t many options here, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out with suspension and Reiss Nelson with injury. Nicolas Pepe will start on the right, Gabriel Martinelli on the left.

The only decision Arteta has to make is Alexandre Lacazette or Eddie Nketiah up front. Lacazette is by far the more likely of the two.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea

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