Lacazette made the biggest difference when entering the field as a second half substitute last Sunday and I expect his impression to have lasted and earned him a starting berth up the middle of Arsenal's attack against Chelsea. He is elusive and highly dangerous in the box and against the likes of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger, he should have some joy. Ozil needs to get in the game, there's no question about it. His team need him to dictate and control and really threaten Chelsea's defence with consistent creativity and direction.
Petr Cech is expected to keep his place in goal and back at Chelsea, he really needs to step up. His shot stopping is up there with anyone in the world but with the ball at his feet, he was almost a dying carthorse. Rust, slack and awful are words that were banded about but in fact, are all pretty accurate. He must improve or at least, distribute quickly so that he is not so exposed so often. The defensive line was hit by an injury blow to stand in left back Maintland-Niles last time out and although Stephen Litchsteiner came on and impressed as his replacement, if Monreal is match ready I expect him to start in order to add a left footed balance to the XI. The centre back pairing need time to strike up a partnership but on the smaller pitch and tighter environment in West London, shouldn't be so vulnerable to the ball over the top as a high line won't have as much space in behind.
The midfield looked flat and although Guendouzi played fairly well on his debut last week, he could miss out against Chelsea. Another big game could be a little out his depth, and with Torreira gaining more fitness throughout this week's training, he should be bought in to break up the play. He is a true holding midfielder who sniffs out danger from the off. His natural game is to defend, intercept and tackle - unlike any other midfielder in the squad. He was not bought for big money to sit on the bench so he'll start with the other two fitting in around him accordingly, fitness dependent. Granit Xhaka had one of his worst games in an Arsenal shirt against Man City and as result could be the man to miss out. If fit, Ramsey plays. His dynamism, energy and goal scoring threat is unique to our midfield and if we can get at least seventy minutes out of him, we should come away with at least a point.
Chelsea are confident after smashing Huddersfield last weekend. Hazard and and former Gunner Giroud both have another week of training under their belts and will be looking to feature from the off. Morata is a threat that Sokratis and Mustafi should be confident of handling but the likes of Pedro and Willian will be looking to cause problems. Their play now flows through Jorginho and alongside Kante, he has the space and time to dictate. Arsenal's midfield energy and high intensity press needs to come to the floor early and pressure Chelsea into mistakes.
Make no mistake, this will be a tough test but Chelsea of one of the teams that we should be looking to surpass in the league as we strive to finish in the top four. A different level to City, Chelsea will cause us issues but their defensive unit is there to be got at. Aubameyang playing from wide really needs to isolate and test Azpilicueta and Alonso as full backs. Both love going forward but alongside a new keeper and shaky centre back partnership, Chelsea's defence is far from the dizzy heights of City's. Arsenal need a strong start and ideally, an early goal.
Expected lineup:
GK: Petr Cech
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
CB: Sokratis
LB: Nacho Monreal
CDM: Lucas Torriera
CM: Aaron Ramsey
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
RW: Mesut Ozil
ST: Alexandre Lacazetter
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 1-0 win, Alex Lacazette scoring the only goal.
@craigbennett10
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