Chelsea are catching Arsenal right now at a low point; a really low point. The Gunners sit in 15th place with only 14 points to show through as many matches. Having suffered a humiliating defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday night, there is talk of manager Mikel Arteta’s job security right now.
“We have to turn it around,” Arteta said. “If we don’t then we are in big trouble. That is the moment that is going to decide our season.”
Boxing Day London Derby FYIs
Arsenal Team News, Starting XI Prediction: go here
Chelsea team news: go here
Kick off: 5:30pm GMT, Sat Dec 26, Emirates Stadium
TV (US)/Online: NBC/NBCSports.com
Odds: Arsenal win +280 Draw +260 Chelsea win -110
Let’s take a look at what kind of team Blues boss Frank Lampard might put out there in hopes of getting a win, which would of course, as consequence, further warm the seat of Arteta.
With potential fitness issues at both fullback positions, Lampard may have to call upon his second choice at both spots. Goalkeeper and midfield are rather straight-forward, but we’re predicting Kai Havertz stays on the bench, with Timo Werner joining him.
Neither of the high priced German summer additions have been living up to expectations lately. Although yes, a front line with both Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud in it at the same time is a bit strange.
Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction at Arsenal
Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Silva, Emerson; Jorginho, Kanté, Kovacic; Pulisic, Giroud, Abraham
Arsenal 2, Chelsea 2
Did we mention that Arsenal are in dire straits right now? Still we could see the players getting up for this one at home, as it’s Chelsea, and they’ll want to make sure the Blues don’t come away with all three points.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank, partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and SB Nation. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.