This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their Premier League clash with Arsenal on March 16. This is a chance for the Blues to pick up points to strengthen their grip on a spot in the Champions League, particularly after the draw between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal for Premier League Clash
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have shared goalkeeping duties in recent weeks with the two trading the figurative number-one shirt. There’s been a host of names used in defence including Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Malo Gusto, and Josh Acheampong all getting one of the four spots.
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In midfield, James has played with Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Attacking options are limited due to injuries with Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho, and Christopher Nkunku the main starters with Tyrique George playing in Europe and Shim Mheuka getting one start in the Conference League as a striker.
Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics
After being slightly sterile with tactics Enzo Maresca has flexed his skills recently. The 4-2-3-1 into a 3-2-4-1 setup which has been used for most of the season allowed for someone to invert into the central attacking midfielder space, either from left-back, right-back, or defensive midfield. Recently things looked more like a 4-3-3 with two holding midfielders and one moving up to join an inverting right winger as the full-back overlapped to provide width. The aim remains the same to get into something like a 3-2-4-1 but the methodology changed to accentuate strengths.
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This tweak has come alongside an upturn in form with the Blues currently on a four match winning run, something thought impossible during their horrendous post-Christmas run that saw them lose to teams like Ipswich and fail to beat Crystal Palace. More than anything, the recent stretch of clean sheets and the return of some defenders could indicate that the team is ready to put together a strong defensive run.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
Per PremierInjuries, there’s a number of players still absent but there was a lack of updates from Maresca after the Conference League win. Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, and Marc Guiu are definitely injured while Mykhailo Mudryk is definitely suspended. Gusto’s status is up in the air but he didn’t make the squad at all for the visit of Copenhagen and will likely be sidelined.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal
GK – Rob Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Levi Colwill
CB – Wesley Fofana
RB – Reece James
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM – Enzo Fernandez
AM – Cole Palmer
W – Jadon Sancho
W – Christopher Nkunku
ST – Pedro Neto
