
Arsenal, David Luiz (Photo by RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Centerbacks
This position essentially fills itself out save for one decision to be made on the left side of the back three. With Shkodran Mustafi now out and half the defense out already, not to mention Sokratis being told to leave the club, David Luiz is going to be asked to do better against his old club than last time he faced them when he gave up a red card and put the Gunners behind.
If you’re stressed about him having to face Chelsea again, you’re not alone, but Luiz is a professional and I have faith he can do the job that needs doing.
On the right, Rob Holding has to start. I’m a little leery about his lack of athleticism, but I’m thrilled to have his aerial presence, especially if we’re tasked with stepping up against long-time Gooner Olivier Giroud.
On the left it’s between Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac. This is not an easy choice to make. I would love to see Tierney out at left wingback, but I think for the sake of avoiding putting Kolasinac here, Tierney needs to play centerback.
On to wingbacks.
Arsenal was always going to hit a snag in replacing Arsene Wenger and most fans accepted that, but when it came to actually putting that understanding into practice, that’s another story.</p>
<p>Through it all, we still have the chance to come out of this season with silverware, which would be such a monumental success for <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d934d1e6/Mikel-Arteta?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mikel Arteta</a>. If he can pick up the Unai Emery pieces and get us a trophy, whatever naysayers still exist should be stamped out easily.</p>
<p>But first, we have to actually win that trophy. It was no easy feat getting here, as we had to go through Manchester City, which is testament enough in itself how excellent this team can be when they live up to expectations.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="3 Controversial Truths Fans Must Accept" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/28/arsenal-3-controversial-truths/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/28/arsenal-3-controversial-truths/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> 3 Controversial Truths Fans Must Accept </a> </div>
</div>
<p>That will no doubt be forgotten if we can’t go all the way, however. So Mikel Arteta is going to pull out all the stops to ensure that we do. That means no playing around with what the future could look like and no experimentation. It’s time to buckle down with what has worked and build from there.</p>
<p>So let’s talk about how he will line up.</p>
<p>While he pulled out the 4-2-3-1 against Watford, it didn’t last long and I’d be incredibly surprised if he didn’t revert back to the 3-4-3 that he’s been leaning on, even with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/3f2d59fe/Shkodran-Mustafi?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Shkodran Mustafi</a> out until October with the injury he picked up against Manchester City.</p>
<p>Honestly, this predicted XI makes itself. I would be surprised if anything is different than what I’m about to predict.</p>
<p>We will start in goal.</p>
<p>Keeper</p>
<p>Strange to think that this could be <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=7956236f,52061089&search=Emiliano+Mart%C3%ADnez&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Emiliano Martinez</a>‘s last match in goal for Arsenal. He’s too good to fall back into a No. 2 spot but we definitely aren’t going to be parting with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/2628fd2b/Bernd-Leno?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bernd Leno</a>. So decisions have to be made.</p>
<p>In the meantime, we can enjoy him for another 90 minutes of safe hands and security.</p>
<p>Centerbacks next.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Centerbacks </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103850" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2229,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227723864.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, David Luiz" width="3200" height="2229" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227723864.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227723864-768x535.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, David Luiz (Photo by RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Centerbacks</h4>
<p>This position essentially fills itself out save for one decision to be made on the left side of the back three. With Shkodran Mustafi now out and half the defense out already, not to mention Sokratis being told to leave the club, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c0e27d1a/David-Luiz?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">David Luiz</a> is going to be asked to do better against his old club than last time he faced them when he gave up a red card and put the Gunners behind.</p>
<p>If you’re stressed about him having to face Chelsea again, you’re not alone, but Luiz is a professional and I have faith he can do the job that needs doing.</p>
<p>On the right, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d79a8c87/Rob-Holding?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rob Holding</a> has to start. I’m a little leery about his lack of athleticism, but I’m thrilled to have his aerial presence, especially if we’re tasked with stepping up against long-time Gooner <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/16ceb862/Olivier-Giroud?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Olivier Giroud</a>.</p>
<p>On the left it’s between <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/fce2302c/Kieran-Tierney?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Kieran Tierney</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/3935e52e/Sead-Kolasinac?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sead Kolasinac</a>. This is not an easy choice to make. I would love to see Tierney out at left wingback, but I think for the sake of avoiding putting Kolasinac here, Tierney needs to play centerback.</p>
<p>On to wingbacks.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Wingbacks </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103171" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1254872322.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Hector Bellerin" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1254872322.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1254872322-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Hector Bellerin (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Wingbacks</h4>
<p>Don’t expect any surprises here either, even though there are options. Really the only other thing that I’m considering here is if Kieran Tierney starts at left wingback and Kolasinac starts at centerback, but again, I’d rather avoid Kolasinac at all, so Kieran Tierney will probably be starting at left centerback.</p>
<p>Which means that left wingback has to go to <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/bc7dc64d/Bukayo-Saka?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bukayo Saka</a> for reasons that we will discuss when we get to the front three. Although I’ll admit not being <em>totally</em> thrilled with Saka at left wingback, since he’s better served in these kinds of matches when he’s in the attack.</p>
<p>Regardless, Saka here is better than no Saka at all.</p>
<p>On the right, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/f874dd44/Hector-Bellerin?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Hector Bellerin</a> should be back. It was weird seeing him not even available against Watford due to an apparent calf issue.</p>
<p>Either that or Cedric, but expect Bellerin.</p>
<p>Central midfield is next.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Central Midfield </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-104020" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2049,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1259040485.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Granit Xhaka" width="3200" height="2049" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1259040485.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1259040485-768x492.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Granit Xhaka (Photo by Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Central Midfield</h4>
<p>Remember how I keep saying ‘no surprises’? Yeah, let’s apply that again here. There is nothing unexpected coming in the central midfield. We are so thin in the position and our only alternative is <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/52611641/Lucas-Torreira?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Lucas Torreira</a>, who is most certainly not going to be starting in this one.</p>
<p>Instead, expect <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c0617e2b/Dani-Ceballos?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Dani Ceballos</a> to take centerstage with what we can only hope is another dominant performance turning defense into the attack.</p>
<p>And then there’d be <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e61b8aee/Granit-Xhaka?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Granit Xhaka</a>, who some people just will never appreciate. Regardless, he will do his job the same as he always does and he won’t get credit for it, same as he never does. That’s just how things are. But he’s a massive requirement to a successful match here.</p>
<p>It’s built to succeed, same as always.</p>
<p>Lastly, our front three.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Front Three </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103696" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227683357.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227683357.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227683357-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Front Three</h4>
<p>There are definitely options here, but Mikel Arteta won’t try to get cute here. He’s going to start his most experienced, most proven attacking options and not mess around with trying to squeeze a <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c5bdb6e3/Reiss-Nelson?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Reiss Nelson</a> or <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/a53649b7/Eddie-Nketiah?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Eddie Nketiah</a> in there.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9dbb75ca/Alexandre-Lacazette?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Alexandre Lacazette</a> will start up top as the sole striker and he’ll be flanked on either side by <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d5dd5f1f/Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/57e3f0c7/Nicolas-Pepe?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicolas Pepe</a>.</p>
<p>This is where the money will be made. We need these three to be at their absolute best and take their chances. I worry about Aubameyang having a come down after such determination against Watford. I worry about Lacazette’s confidence issues. I worry about Pepe getting involved.</p>
<p>Basically I just worry about a lot.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="3 Things That Must Happen Next Year" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-3-things-happen/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/29/arsenal-chelsea-predicted-xi-2/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-3-things-happen/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 3 Things That Must Happen Next Year </a> </div>
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<p>But I also have confidence in a lot.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">