Sunday afternoon brings a few fierce London derby which ought to captivate audiences in England and all over the world when Chelsea entertain Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Even at this early stage of the season, there’s loads on the road. The Gunners might unexpectedly have been fancied greater than the Blues to mount a Premier League title problem however either side are sat on 18 factors heading into the assembly, ten behind runaway leaders Liverpool.
There have been actual query marks over the type of the 2 groups in current weeks, however Sunday will current the chance to get again on observe and keep away from getting into the worldwide break feeling within the doldrums. However which gamers might be key to the end result in west London?
Listed here are three key battles that would resolve which means the factors go when Arsenal go to Chelsea on Sunday.
Two of the most costly gamers in Premier League historical past might be tasked with retaining the opposite quiet when Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice lock horns.
Ecuador worldwide Caicedo had a tricky first season at Stamford Bridge, wanting greater than just a little misplaced underneath Mauricio Pochettino, however the former Brighton & Hove Albion star has a transparent objective underneath Enzo Maresca and scored Chelsea’s equaliser at Manchester United final week.
He’ll look to cowl each blade of Stamford Bridge grass, very similar to reverse quantity Rice. The England star missed the midweek defeat to Inter with a toe drawback however is anticipated again for the journey throughout London. His availability can be an enormous increase for supervisor Mikel Arteta, who might do with a win after two straight losses.
Marc Cucurella and Bukayo Saka are fairly acquainted foes at this level. The pair squared off over the summer season in the course of the Euro 2024 remaining and it was Spain’s Cucurella who largely edged his England opponent on the way in which to a 2-1 victory.
That mentioned, Saka’s affect over Arsenal is bigger in comparison with his nationwide workforce output at this stage and Cucurella may have a significant job on his arms to cease the 23-year-old delivering high quality crosses into the field and stopping him getting near objective.
Cucurella may have confidence on his facet having gained this battle on worldwide responsibility, however he’ll want all his wits about him to return out on prime once more.
There are large doubts over Cole Palmer’s health standing heading into Sunday’s mammoth conflict. The previous Manchester Metropolis attacker sustained a knee blow at United final week however there may be hope he’ll pull by means of to make Maresca’s beginning XI.
That might be an enormous increase for Chelsea, who depend on the 22-year-old in so some ways. Palmer already has seven objectives and 5 assists within the Premier League this season and it is Gabriel who’s more likely to be tasked with shutting him down.
Palmer will begin from the precise however drift infield usually as he appears to open Arsenal up and decide killer passes for his teammates. If Gabiel and centre-back accomplice William Saliba aren’t alert, Chelsea’s quantity 20 might take the guests aside.
