Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea: Boxing Day Clash

By Ross Kennerley

Chelsea's English head coach Frank Lampard (L) and Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta react during the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London, on August 1, 2020. - Arsenal won the match 2-1. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's English head coach Frank Lampard (L) and Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta react during the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London, on August 1, 2020. - Arsenal won the match 2-1. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Bukayo Saka, Arsenal
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (Photo by Visionhaus) /

Midfielders & Wing-Backs

Hector Bellerin (RWB) – Ainsley Maitland-Niles has played 90 minutes in three consecutive fixtures, with his run out against City a strong indication that he’ll be rested for the weekend.

Bellerin will have to put in a solid display to ease the strain put on him by displeased supporters, another clutch late goal like he did in the Stamford Bridge draw last season wouldn’t go amiss.

Dani Ceballos (CM) – Every week Dani Ceballos drifts further away from a long-term future at Arsenal, simply because he isn’t the driving midfield force the club need to escape their plight.

There are neat passes here and there, but you can count the games where the Spaniard has put in a complete performance on one hand. Still, he’ll start on Saturday.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – Straight back in. Arteta will not drop Granit Xhaka for the weekend now that his suspension has been served. The manager is firmly in the ‘what Xhaka brings’ brigade as opposed to the more common ‘what does Xhaka bring?‘ section.

Slow, pedestrian and ill-disciplined, instead Arteta sees an experienced leader, fighter and communicator. He’ll not drop out.

Bukayo Saka (LWB) – An unquestionable inclusion, the only debate will be regarding what position Saka operates in. It seems Arteta has found comfort (albeit unsuccessful) with the 3-4-3 shape, which means Saka can be fielded as a wing-back, but in fact be given freedom to roam further forward.

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