Arsenal vs Chelsea: Tactics, Squad News, Predictions and Managers’ Opinions

Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium on September 6 at the Emirates Stadium at 18.30 EAT, in the first meeting between members of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ this season.

Both sides have made perfect starts to the campaign, setting up a fascinating London derby between two Basque managers.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have won their opening matches while keeping clean sheets, showing the defensive strength that helped them begin their title defence with confidence.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have produced seven goals in their opening two league games. Xabi Alonso’s side have already shown their attacking quality, although they have also conceded five goals.

The match will therefore bring together two contrasting strengths: Arsenal’s organised defence and Chelsea’s dangerous attack.

Arteta and Alonso Face Off

Sunday’s match will see Arteta and Alonso share a Premier League dugout for the first time.

The two managers know each other well, having grown up in Spain’s Basque Country, and they now meet with their clubs both chasing another important victory.

Alonso has made a confident start at Chelsea and wants his team to approach the game with the same winning mentality they have shown so far.

“I want to win and will do whatever it takes to win.”

The Chelsea boss also knows Arsenal will provide a different challenge.

“Each game can be different so we need to prepare for the best.”

Alonso added that Chelsea must prepare for different situations rather than expect the same performance they produced in their opening matches.

“We need to train for the best and be prepared for whatever scenario we have, so it’s not like this [performance] is going to be replicated against Arsenal.”

The Arsenal manager believes the early goals Chelsea scored in their first two matches affected the way those games developed.

Asked how he expects Alonso’s team to approach the match, Arteta said:

“That would depend on a lot of factors and game state is a massive one, especially because the two games that they played, they scored very, very early and that changes the momentum and the shift of the game.”

Arteta also recognised Chelsea’s ability to change their approach.

“They are capable and he’s capable of playing in various ways. That’s been a really successful match so far.”

That tactical flexibility could make Sunday’s contest difficult to predict.

How Arsenal Could Approach the Game

Arsenal usually line up in a 4-2-3-1 but their shape changes significantly when they have the ball.

Arteta can turn the formation into a 3-2-5 or 2-3-5, allowing his players to occupy different areas of the pitch while maintaining control.

Myles Lewis-Skelly can move inside from the full-back position to strengthen the midfield. Other full-backs can also tuck inside to create a midfield box or provide additional protection alongside the holding midfielders.

Arsenal’s midfielders and wingers constantly rotate to move Chelsea’s defensive players out of position.

Much of their attacking play can then move towards the right side, where Bukayo Saka remains one of their biggest threats.

Martin Ødegaard also plays an important role between midfield and attack, helping Arsenal circulate possession and create openings.

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Arsenal Without the Ball

When defending, Arsenal can quickly form a compact 4-4-2 block.

The front line helps trigger the press, with the number nine and number 10 leading the pressure. The wingers move inside to close central passing lanes and make it difficult for opponents to play through the middle.

Even when Arsenal attack, they keep a structured 3-2 or 2-3 shape behind the ball. This allows them to deal with counter-attacks quickly if possession is lost.

That defensive structure will be crucial against Chelsea’s pace and movement.

Alonso has quickly changed Chelsea’s structure since taking charge.

The Blues have adopted a back-three system, with their shape changing depending on whether they have possession.

When building attacks, Chelsea can form a 3-2-5 or 3-4-2-1.

The wide centre-backs are encouraged to step forward and help create overloads in wide areas, while the double pivot provides support through the middle.

Without the ball, Chelsea can drop into a 5-2-3 or 4-4-2 shape.

The team protects the centre of the pitch and encourages opponents to move the ball towards the wings, where Chelsea can create pressing traps.

Chelsea’s Attacking Threat

Chelsea’s approach under Alonso has not depended on dominating possession.

Instead, the Blues have shown that they can allow opponents to have the ball before attacking quickly when opportunities appear.

The front three stay high and can put pressure on opposition centre-backs while also directing play towards areas where Chelsea want to press.

One of the biggest tactical features is the freedom given to Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.

The two attacking players can move into similar areas of the pitch and combine through quick passing and vertical movements.

Their movement gives Chelsea another way of breaking defensive lines.

The winger can operate as a right wing-back, using his pace to attack from deeper positions and provide Chelsea with another threat during transitions.

The biggest question at the Emirates will be whether Chelsea’s attacking trio can break through Arsenal’s organised defence.

Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers have impressed in the opening matches and will look to use their movement to create problems for Arsenal.

Arsenal, however, have shown impressive defensive discipline.

The Gunners have kept clean sheets in their opening victories over Coventry City and Aston Villa. They have also allowed only 0.5 expected goals so far and did not allow Aston Villa a shot on target in their most recent match.

That makes this a fascinating tactical battle.

Chelsea want to move the ball quickly and attack spaces, while Arsenal will look to control the game, maintain their defensive structure and prevent the visitors from finding room between the lines.

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Arsenal Squad News

Arsenal could have concerns over Bruno Guimarães and Cristhian Mosquera after both players missed Thursday’s training session.

Mosquera is expected to be replaced at centre-back by summer signing Ezri Konsa if he cannot play.

William Saliba remains unavailable, while Jurriën Timber could again miss out despite returning to full team training.

Arsenal’s defensive options remain strong, however, with Ben White, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori all impressing in the opening matches.

Christos Tzolis is expected to keep his place despite being substituted at half-time on Monday. The winger was taken off after receiving a yellow card and has done enough early in his Arsenal career to maintain Arteta’s trust.

Kai Havertz is also expected to start up front ahead of Viktor Gyökeres, who is yet to play a league minute this season.

Predicted Arsenal XI

Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Ødegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.

Chelsea squad news

Chelsea could be without Moisés Caicedo after he aggravated an existing injury during the victory over former club Brighton.

The midfield situation has become more complicated following Enzo Fernández’s departure, leaving Reece James as the likely player to partner Roméo Lavia in the centre.

Jordan Henderson is still waiting to make his Chelsea debut because of an arm injury sustained at the World Cup.

Marco Palestra is also a doubt after missing the opening two matches with a knock.

Malo Gusto could start at right wing-back ahead of Pedro Neto, giving Chelsea greater defensive protection.

Emiliano Martínez is expected to make his second appearance for the club in goal.

Despite the fitness concerns elsewhere, Chelsea’s attacking trio of Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers is expected to remain unchanged.

Predicted Chelsea XI

Martínez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Pedro, Rogers.

Head-to-head record

Chelsea have struggled against Arsenal in recent meetings.

The Blues have won only once in their last 16 matches against the Gunners across all competitions and failed to beat Arsenal in any of their four meetings last season.

Chelsea have also lost their previous five visits to the Emirates Stadium.

However, they have won two of their last seven Premier League trips to Arsenal, giving Alonso’s side some reason for optimism.

What could decide the match?

Arsenal’s ability to control the central areas could be decisive.

If Rice, Lewis-Skelly and Ødegaard can dominate possession and prevent Chelsea’s attacking players from receiving the ball in dangerous positions, Arsenal could control the game.

Saka will also be important on the right, particularly if Chelsea’s wing-back system leaves space behind.

For Chelsea, the priority will be using Palmer, Pedro and Rogers to attack Arsenal’s defensive gaps.

If Alonso’s side can force Arsenal’s defensive players to move out of their positions, Chelsea have enough attacking quality to cause serious problems.

The visitors will also need to remain disciplined defensively. Arsenal’s movement and rotations can expose gaps if Chelsea’s back five lose their shape.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea

This promises to be an end-to-end contest.

Arsenal have the defensive structure and home advantage to make life difficult for Chelsea, but the visitors have enough attacking quality to find a way through.

Chelsea’s defensive weaknesses could also give Arsenal opportunities, especially if their midfield struggles to cope with Arsenal’s rotations and possession.

Both managers have started the season strongly, but Sunday’s match will provide a much tougher examination of their systems.

Arsenal’s defence could keep the Gunners in the game, while Chelsea’s attacking firepower should give them a chance of scoring.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea.

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A collage photo of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea Manager Xabi Alonso. PHOTO/ Arsenal/ Chelsea