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Arsenal team news: Predicted Arsenal line up vs Chelsea – Full-back crisis, Lacazette in
ARSENAL manager Unai Emery has a selection headache ahead of the Gunners' next Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (5.30pm).
Pundits predict Chelsea victory over Arsenal ahead of clash
Arsenal will be eyeing their first points of the Premier League season when they travel to Chelsea this weekend.
The Gunners face a tough task up against Maurizio Sarri’s side, having tasted defeat in their opening fixture away at Manchester City.
New Arsenal manager Unai Emery has plenty of decisions to make ahead of the match, with his squad currently decimated by injuries.
Up to five first-team stars are in danger of missing out, meaning the likes of Stephan Lichtsteiner and Lucas Torreira could make their full debuts.
Left-back in particular is a problem area, with Nacho Monreal doubtful and both Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles sidelined.
Laurent Koscielny is also out with an Achilles problem while Danny Welbeck faces a fitness test ahead of the clash.
Meanwhile, summer signing Matteo Guendouzi impressed in the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates and is expected to retain his place in the starting XI.
However, Emery may be tempted to shuffle his squad after lacklustre performances from both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Granit Xhaka against the Champions.
GK – Petr Cech
The veteran goalkeeper suffered a tricky start to the season during the defeat to Manchester City, and almost scored one of the most comical own-goals in Premier League history.
However, Emery is likely to stick by his stopper meaning another week on the bench for Bernd Leno.
RB – Hector Bellerin
An almost certain starter with Arsenal’s current injury problems, Bellerin is expected to hold down the right-back slot but could switch to the opposite flank.
CB – Shkodran Mustafi
A scapegoat for much of the Gunners’ defensive woe, but Emery has little choice in playing the inconsistent German.
With Koscielny out, Mustafi will be called on to form a partnership with Sokratis.
CB – Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Thrown in at the deep end against City and the Greek defender won’t find things much easier against Eden Hazard and co.
LB – Stephan Lichtsteiner
Lichtsteiner replaced Maitland-Niles when the 20-year-old limped off last weekend, and the Swiss ace looks set to get the nod at left-back again.
Injuries to Monreal and Kolasinac mean Emery is already out of natural left-sided players ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
CDM – Matteo Guendouzi
A shock starter last week, but looked deserving of his spot and is expected to be handed the holding role again this time out.
CM – Aaron Ramsey
Deployed in a more advanced position than usual against City and looked isolated throughout.
Emery may opt to start the Welshman deeper in order to dictate the tempo of Arsenal’s attacks.
CM – Lucas Torreira
The Uruguayan could be the big beneficiary of Xhaka’s struggles against City, presenting a like-for-like alternative in midfield.
RAM – Mesut Ozil
Ozil endured a turbulent summer and his mood will not have been improved by the Gunners’ opening day defeat.
However, the German will be central to Arsenal’s chances of leaving Stamford Bridge with points and is almost guaranteed to start.
LAM – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Gabon international started up front on his own against City but is expected to shift out to the left in order to accommodate Alexandre Lacazette.
Aubameyang was in fine form during pre-season and will hope the blank last time out is just a minor blip.
ST – Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette may well have felt hard done by after starting on the bench at the Etihad and should get the nod in a central position this time around.
However, Emery could confound expectations and stick with Aubameyang through the middle – meaning a reprieve for Henrikh Mkhitaryan out wide.