Chelsea vs Arsenal: 3 crucial players in top four clash

2. Eddie Nketiah

The toothless displays this season, especially from the striker position, have been torturous to watch.

Lack of a good (or even serviceable) striker leaves a gaping hole in the lineup. With Lacazette out with COVID, Nketiah led the line against Southampton and his performance was…mixed.

He ran the channels well in the first half. He pressed with energy and actually stretched the defense with his movement. Arsenal’s best chance of the game when Fraser Forster saved from Bukayo Saka came after Nketiah had forced a turnover deep in the opposition third.

In the second half, however, fans would not even know he was on the pitch. This was largely due to Southampton dropping into a low defensive block and constricting the middle of the pitch. There just wasn’t enough space between the defenders for Nketiah to do anything significant.

Despite his somewhat muted second half display on Saturday, he should be more effective against city rivals Chelsea. The Blues play a back three and Nketiah’s speed and driving runs in between defending players should be better suited against  a team that leaves more space as Tuchel’s men will actually attack.

Providing that threat in behind will be on Nketiah’s to-do list.

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