Chelsea predicted XI vs Arsenal: England full-backs expected to miss Arsenal clash

Chelsea make the short trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal as they look to get back into the Premier League’s top-four. 

Frank Lampard’s side were going well in the table until back-to-back defeats at Wolves and Everton set them back.

However, the Blues bounced back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory against West Ham United last time out and will now be aiming for another London derby triumph on Boxing Day.

Lampard will be confident his side can get the job done in North London, especially against Mikel Arteta’s struggling Arsenal side.

Chelsea got back to winning ways against West Ham.

The under-pressure Spaniard, who has been in charge for a little over 12 months, sees his side sit 15th in the table after winning just one of their last 10 Premier League matches.

The Blues lost August’s FA Cup final between the two sides but won this fixture 2-1 last term thanks to late goals from Jorginho and Tammy Abraham.

After this Boxing Day clash, Chelsea face Aston Villa on Monday and Man City the following Sunday in a busy festive period in the most congested Premier League season yet.

So with a talented squad at his disposal, which players will the Blues boss select to try and secure three points at the Emirates..?

Here we predict the Chelsea starting XI to take on Arsenal…

Goalkeeper:

Maybe not the biggest name on the list of Chelsea’s summer signings, but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is proving to be the most important. The Senegal international, bought from Rennes, has really helped solidify the Blues and will be once again in goal at Arsenal. Mendy has the second most clean sheets in the top-flight with six from his 10 appearances. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to see how Kepa Arrizabalaga will have a future at the club.

Defenders:

Reece James missed the match against West Ham due to injury while, on the other side, Ben Chilwell was withdrawn with an injury on just nine minutes. The England internationals are not expected to be fit for the Emirates meaning club-captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Brazilian left-back Emerson should start. At centre-back, Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva, who scored his second Chelsea goal against West Ham, will continue their blossoming partnership.

Midfielders:

Chelsea have so many options he can choose from on midfield. Against West Ham, the two of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho were selected to do more of the defensive work. The Frenchman is expected to keep his place but Mateo Kovacic, who has been a consistent performer since Lampard took charge, could replace the Italian. In front of them, Mason Mount should continue in a more attacking midfield role.  The England international has performed well for the team but will be hoping to add to his one Premier League goal and three assists so far this term.

Forwards:

The biggest area for competition in this Chelsea side certainly comes in attack. Lampard has often stuck with players if they’ve performed well in the previous match and we feel like he will continue that trend in this match. That means Tammy Abraham, who scored twice against the Hammers, will start in front of Olivier Giroud, while Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner, despite having failed to score in his last nine matches, will take their place in the wide areas. Hakim Ziyech is still sidelined but the Blues will still have Callum Hudson-Odoi and club-record buy Kai Havertz in reserve.

Predicted Chelsea XI vs Arsenal: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Silva, Emerson; Kovacic, Kante, Mount; Pulisic, Werner, Abraham.