Date: Sunday 16th March, 2025
Time: 2:30 pm
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (England)
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Arsenal
There are no fresh injury concerns for Arsenal following their 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven in midweek as they get set to take on Chelsea. The fact that Mikel Arteta rested many of his key stars for the game will have kept the group fresh ahead of their game against the Blues.
The Gunners will make a lot of changes to the midweek team, with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber likely to return at the back. Thomas Partey could replace Jorginho in central midfield, while Martin Odegaard could be restored alongside Declan Rice in Arsenal’s midfield.
There is an argument to be made about the positioning of certain players like Myles-Lewis Skelly and Oleksandr Zinchenko, with the latter impressing from a midfield role in midweek, when he replaced Odegaard in the lineup. The Norwegian playmaker might keep his place for now, but the Ukrainian could be an option for Arteta to consider ahead.
The return of Gabriel Martinelli as a substitute in the last two games is a genuine boost for Arteta, and the manager might continue using him of the bench at least until the end of the international break, with suggestions that the Brazilian has been rushed back from his problem. Hence, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino could continue in the front three for Arsenal against Chelsea.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard
Chelsea
Chelsea have had a positive few weeks with regards to their injury situation, as Wesley Fofana has since returned and even started against Leicester City in a right-back role. Enzo Maresca might see if he can use the Frenchman again in a similar way, as Reece James had an illness complaint as of Thursday or Friday alongside Cole Palmer.
Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson will remain out at least until after the International break. Marc Guiu is also an absentee, while there are doubts about Malo Gusto’s involvement as the French defender has missed the last two games with a knock to his ankle. Maresca will also have Romeo Lavia back in contention as the midfielder was part of the bench against Leicester City and once again he might be placed there at the Emirates.
The Chelsea boss also confirmed Robert Sanchez will start in goal. Going by the success against Leicester City, Maresca might opt to start with Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill in the heart of the defence, with Marc Cucurella and Fofana in the full-back roles. Enzo Fernandez could partner Moises Caicedo in the midfield, with Palmer operating in the No.10 role.
The experiment to use Pedro Neto as a false-nine has worked to an extent for Maresca, as the manager might continue the Portuguese international at the top of his attack. Jadon Sancho could operate from the right wing to help the manager accommodate Christopher Nkunku on the left wing.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Fofana, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku; Neto
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea
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