Chelsea vs Arsenal: 3 crucial players in top four clash

Three losses in the last three games for Arsenal would be cause enough for concern. Looking ahead, however, the fixtures get significantly harder, with Chelsea, Man United and West Ham licking their lips looking at the Gunners’ recent form.

But football is so loved partly due to its unpredictable nature.

No one saw Chelsea losing 4-1 to Brentford. Brighton won away at Arsenal and Tottenham. Southampton got crucial points against the Gunners as well, despite losing their last six.

Strange things happen. Form can turn at the drop of a hat.

Chelsea vs Arsenal: 3 crucial players in Premier League top four clash as Mikel Arteta takes on Thomas Tuchel’s side

Mikel Arteta will be hoping that a solid performance against Chelsea can turn around some of the doom and gloom pervading the club, wih a victory that will require key partnerships, some good fortune, spirit, fight, clever tactical execution and probably scoring first.

Just to name a few.

But did you know that Chelsea have won only three of their last 15 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions? During that time Arsenal have also beaten the Blues twice at Wembley to lift the FA Cup. Believe it or not, we’re their bogey team. Well, how about having bogey players?

Here are three players that must be on top of their game for Arsenal to have any chance of getting something from Wednesday’s crucial clash against Chelsea.

3. Albert Sambi Lokonga

There is no doubt that the Belgian midfielder will grow into an exceptional Premier League player. He has impressed with his passing range and driving runs forward. Recently, however, he has looked somewhat lost. Taking too many touches on the ball, hesitant in taking risks and lacking the physical and technical profile to assert himself on the game, he looks set to start against Chelsea due to the lack of options.

Lokonga is at his best when the defense is solid behind him. This strong foundation gives him the license to drive forward into gaps left by the opposition midfield before moving the ball on or taking a shot himself. Against Chelsea, the other side of his game will be tested. Mason Mount is the man in form for Tuchel’s side, and the English youngster is comfortable receiving the ball between the lines and helping Chelsea build up while being equally effective in the opposition box.

The Belgian must be switched on at all times, tracking Mount to ensure he doesn’t get a sniff of goal. This is no easy task. Mount is tactically intelligent and is excellent at finding pockets of space.

Lokonga, however, must not back down and should keep tabs on him throughout the game. If Arsenal’s midfielder can shut him down or at the very least limit his touches on the ball, it would go a long way towards starving their forwards of service.

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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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1. Bukayo Saka

Attacking efficiency has been hard to come by in recent weeks, with several players lacking potency. Saka’s levels appear to have dropped off but the entire team has looked shaky. Arsenal’s Starboy will be looking to get back to his best on Wednesday.

Tuchel’s setup might just get the best out of Saka. Marcos Alonso lines up on the left for Chelsea and his propensity to attack, as well as poor defensive positioning, leaves gaps behind him. Saka setting up on the right and cutting in onto his left foot should worry the Spanish full-back.

At home, Chelsea will look to dominate the ball and push up whereas Arsenal should look to provide more of a counterattacking threat. Their wingers thrive in space and, at Stamford Bridge, there may be just enough for Arsenal to alarm their city rivals.

Arsenal will have more attacking joy in the channels and in transition against Chelsea. They must take their chances in provide a constant threat instead of allowing the Blues to dominate proceedings. Get the ball quickly to the dynamic front players and let them do what they do best: attack.

With so much emphasis heaped on Saka and Martinelli’s shoulders to score on account of the lack of threat at No. 9, if they don’t get the service then nobody will score for Arsenal.