FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-SHEFFIELD UTD — Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 4, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Aubameyang and Tierney return: How Arsenal could line up vs Chelsea

May 11, 2021

Arsenal face Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday, let’s take a look at our predicted lineup for the London derby clash.

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) gestures on the touchline as Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling (R) looks on during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 21, 2021. (Photo by John Walton / POOL / AFP) — Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) gestures on the touchline as Manchester City’s English midfielder Raheem Sterling (R) looks on during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 21, 2021. (Photo by John Walton / POOL / AFP)

Arsenal and Chelsea go into Wednesday’s match in embarrassingly different circumstances.

Chelsea are trying to secure top four before their FA Cup final this weekend and the Champions League final later this month. Arsenal are trying to keep their hopes of a top-seven finish alive, relying on multiple teams above them imploding.

All the same, it’s a derby, and Arsenal may as well at least try to restore some pride by winning it. Here’s our Arsenal predicted lineup for the match.

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno of Arsenal in action during Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London - 23rd April 2021 Arsenal v Everton, Premier League, Football, The Emirates Stadium, London, UK - 23 Apr 2021 Photo by Holly Allison/TPI/Shutterstock — Bernd Leno of Arsenal in action during Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London – 23rd April 2021 Arsenal v Everton, Premier League, Football, The Emirates Stadium, London, UK – 23 Apr 2021 Photo by Holly Allison/TPI/Shutterstock

Bernd Leno should start. Despite losing his clean sheet to an excellent finish at the weekend, Leno had a good game in terms of coming out to claim crosses and distributing the ball quickly. Mat Ryan was also ill, so it’s unlikely he comes in on Wednesday.

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Defence

Kieran Tierney back in Arsenal training (via Arsenal)

Rob Holding is the only right-centre-back available until David Luiz returns, and Calum Chambers played well on Sunday, so they’ll probably keep their places.

Kieran Tierney can come back in at left-back, although Bukayo Saka did a great job filling in at the weekend.

The other change I’m expecting is Pablo Mari coming in for Gabriel Magalhaes. I’m not sure it’s a change I’d make myself, but Mikel Arteta seems to want to rotate between the two every game.

Midfield

1001552918 — 21st March 2021 London Stadium, London, England English Premier League Football, West Ham United versus Arsenal Martin Odegaard of Arsenal takes on Mark Noble of West Ham United ActionPlus/Shaun Brooks

Martin Odegaard should start in the number 10 position, with Emile Smith Rowe forced off with an injury over the weekend. Thomas Partey is also an obvious choice for the midfield.

I’m a bit torn on whether Arteta will start Mohamed Elneny or Dani Ceballos alongside Partey. It could go either way, but given Chelsea’s threat on the counter, perhaps the Arsenal manager will opt for the extra defensive contributions of Elneny.

Forwards

Newcastle United v Arsenal - Premier League - St James Park Arsenal s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang right scores their side s second goal of the game during the Premier League match at St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Issue date: Sunday May 2, 2021. Copyright: Stu Forster — Newcastle United v Arsenal – Premier League – St James Park Arsenal s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang right scores their side s second goal of the game during the Premier League match at St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Issue date: Sunday, May 2, 2021. Copyright: Stu Forster

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should start up front, after his rest at the weekend. Gabriel Martinelli didn’t make a hugely compelling case to take his place centrally on Sunday, and Alexandre Lacazette is still working his way back after injury.

As for the wingers, Saka will probably move back to the right-wing. It’s a close thing between Nicolas Pepe and Martinelli on the left, but Pepe probably just about has the edge.

Despite Willian’s positive performance on Sunday, he hasn’t shown the consistency this season for us to trust him to maintain that form two games in a row.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Chelsea

Arsenal predicted lineup to face Chelsea created using Chosen11.com

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