Gusto, Palmer And Disasi To Start; James And Mudryk On The Bench: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Play Arsenal

Chelsea had some decent results before the international break and they will be hoping to build on that recent form when they take on Arsenal this weekend.

The Gunners are title contenders, having beaten Manchester City last time out, so this will be a stern test of Mauricio Pochettino’s side’s capabilities.

As the Blues are at home, it should give them some sort of advantage, but they have only picked up 4 points from 4 games at Stamford Bridge this season. Fans will be hoping they can improve that record on Saturday.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup for the London derby.

GK – Robert Sanchez

The Spaniard’s performances have got progressively better. Against Burnley, he pulled off some important saves.

Sanchez could do little to keep out Wilson Odobert’s strike to open the scoring but his save to prevent the same player from bagging a brace in the second half was particularly impressive.

There are still some lingering concerns about the 25-year-old. He rarely looks commanding when coming for crosses from set-pieces, and his passing out from the back can be risky.

Sanchez will be hoping for a quiet evening when Chelsea take on their London rivals this weekend.

RB – Malo Gusto

There has been a lot of speculation about the fitness of captain Reece James this week but he was pictured back in full training on Wednesday which is excellent news for Pochettino.

Whether the Chelsea boss will opt to start him for the first time in 2 months in a competitive London derby, though, it is doubtful.

The safer choice would be to keep James on the bench, and select Malo Gusto, who will be raring to go after completing his three-match suspension.

After getting his first cap for France during the international break as well, the fullback should be full of confidence.

CB – Axel Disasi

The 25-year-old had to pull out of international duty due to a thigh muscle injury he sustained against Burnley.

However, after returning to full training midweek, Disasi should be available to take on the Gunners this weekend.

The France international has begun to strike up a good understanding with his centre-back partner Thiago Silva.

The pairing have only conceded 3 goals in their last 5 matches and, if they keep another clean sheet on Saturday, it will give Chelsea the platform they need to get a good result.

CB – Thiago Silva

The centre-half has retired from international football so he will have had a good long rest heading into the Arsenal fixture.

Silva is expected to go up against his fellow countryman Gabriel Jesus who is a tricky customer.

The Gunners forward uses his pace and dribbling ability to get in behind defences but you would back Silva to use his wealth of experience to keep him quiet.

Of course, Arsenal have plenty of other attacking threats, so Silva’s ability to organise the back four will also be very important.

LB – Levi Colwill

Although the defender is often praised for his ability in possession, his defensive capabilities will likely be put to the test this weekend.

At the moment, there is no word on whether Bukayo Saka will be fit to play at Stamford Bridge but, if he is, Colwill will have to be on the top of his game to stop the 22-year-old.

The Gunners star is right up there in terms of the best wingers in the Premier League, and he can beat almost any defender at his best.

If Saka isn’t available, though, Colwill will certainly be a lot more confident about his chances of helping his team keep a clean sheet.

CM – Moises Caicedo

The Ecuadorian had a very positive international break, providing two assists for his country in their 2-1 win over Bolivia last week.

Caicedo has yet to produce much creativity in a Chelsea shirt but he is deployed in a slightly different position, playing a more defensive role for his club.

It will be an intriguing encounter on Saturday as he comes up against the likes of Declan Rice in the middle of the park.

We shall see which of the two most expensive signings from the summer transfer window wins the midfield battle.

CM – Enzo Fernandez

The 22-year-old has been praised for his performances for Argentina over the past week and he will be keen to carry that form into the London derby.

Fernandez hasn’t lit up the Premier League as some fans would have hoped at the start of his first full season in England.

The midfielder has 0 league goals and 0 assists to his name so far, and he will be looking to change that as soon as possible.

Howeever, there is no doubting Fernandez’s quality, and he has looked impressive alongside Caicedo and Conor Gallagher when the three have played together.

AM – Conor Gallagher

Considering the Blues wanted to sell him in the summer, the midfielder has done all he can to show that he should stay at Stamford Bridge.

It is not a surprise that Pochettino has picked Gallagher to start in every league match so far this season.

Playing as the most advanced of the midfield three, his energy and dynamism allows him to take up good positions in possession, whilst also being able to effectively lead the press when the ball is lost.

He is certainly not as technically gifted as Fernandez, but he is the player who embodies what Pochettino wants from his team; work rate, hunger and a never-say-die attitude.

RW – Cole Palmer

The 21-year-old picked up a dead leg whilst with England’s Under 21s, and he didn’t play against Ukraine on Monday night.

However, Palmer was pictured in training on Wednesday so there is an expectation that he will be ready to face Arsenal.

Noni Madueke also looked impressive during the international break but Pochettino is likely to keep faith with Palmer.

After scoring and providing an assist against Burnley, the summer signing deserves another chance to impress on the right wing.

CF – Nicolas Jackson

The striker had minor surgery on his wrist after the win at Turf Moor, but there is an expectation that he will be fit to play against the Gunners.

After scoring against Burnley, Jackson will be hoping to put a run together in front of goal.

While the 22-year-old has been praised for his all-round game since arriving in the summer from Villarreal, there are concerns about his finishing ability.

Getting himself on a scoresheet in a London derby would do him a world of good.

LW – Raheem Sterling

After being dropped from the England squad, the 28-year-old will be fresh and raring to go this weekend.

Sterling was outstanding against Burnley and fans will be hoping for more of the same from him when Chelsea take on Arsenal.

Mykhailo Mudryk got off the mark for his country against Malta earlier this week, so the Ukrainian is pushing for a recall to the starting lineup.

While Sterling is likely to keep his place for now, Pochettino will be glad to have other options to use out wide if required.