Kevin Whitcher
Ok, so let’s look at five questions ahead of the game
Torreira for who?
Surely there isn’t any doubt that the Uruguayan will start the game tomorrow. He was only on the bench last weekend because of a feeling that he wasn’t fully match fit. And Arsenal looked better in that part of the field after his entrance. Granit Xhaka was withdrawn to make way for him last weekend, so the decision is whether that happens at the Bridge, or whether Xhaka’s experience is preferred to starting Matteo Guendouzi. Both players made errors that led to loss of possession against Manchester City, but creatively, Guendouzi offered far more. Xhaka seems to remain under the impression Arsene Wenger is still on the bench, with the number of sideways and backwards passes. It is difficult to see Xhaka getting a start, although Unai Emery might feel that he will see more from him in tandem with Torreira than we evidenced last week.
Ramsey or Lacazette?
Emery was more pleased with his team’s play after withdrawing Ramsey before the hour and replacing him with Lacazette last weekend. Ramsey could move back and line up next to Torreira – a move that would see neither of Xhaka or Guendouzi start. However, this seems unlikely, as the head coach has identified the Welshman as one of his front four, not suited to a deeper role. It would be a kick in the teeth for Ramsey to be on the bench, but then again, his commitment to the club is under question currently, so Emery may feel he owes him nothing. He played as one of the front three against Chelsea to help the forward line in their pressing game, but in terms of being involved in attacking opportunities, he was largely nullified. Lacazette may find space more easily, and his contribution against Manchester City should see him get the nod. There may be room for both if Mkhitaryan is dropped.
Left back?
It’s a toss up between the training again Nacho Monreal and Stephan Lichtsteiner. Logic dictates that Monreal, if fit enough, should start. Lichtsteiner performed fairly well last week after replacing the injured Ainsley Maitland-Niles, although lost his man for City’s second goal. Would Monreal have done any better? He certainly had some iffy moments last season, although who in the Gunners’ defence didn’t? At least Emery had a choice, a testament to the utility of Lichtsteiner.
Cech or Leno?
Emery, in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, gave Cech a vote of confidence after a mixed performance against City by stating the keeper would keep his place. Of course, it could be a ploy to get Chelsea preparing to pressure Cech in possession assuming Arsenal continue to try and play from the back. However, when it came to the fundamental job of saving shots, Cech had a fairly good game last Sunday, the first City goal the only occasion in which he might have done better. There were many excellent saves though, to keep the scoreline respectable. And we simply do not know how good Leno will be on that front. Assuming it is indeed Cech that starts, we wait to see how he does with the job of distribution with his feet. It has to be better than at the Emirates.
Emery Out?
It’s probable that Arsenal will lose this game. And with two defeats to start the campaign, one wonders how impatient Gooners will be. In the equivalent fixtures last season, Arsene Wenger’s team took one point (although the draw against Chelsea came off the back of five straight defeats, and at the time was perceived as something of a minor triumph). So anything but a win may be pointed out as a failure to progress, but it is early days. That won’t stop the calls for Emery’s head on Twitter though.
In Conclusion…
We travel in hope, but logic says that anything but defeat will be a bonus for Arsenal. Granted, Chelsea might, in theory, be at a similar stage of development under a new manager. But their convincing 3-0 victory at Huddersfield last weekend suggested otherwise. With less changes to their squad, there is greater familiarity, and predictability to their starting eleven. Our partners Fansbet.com currently have Chelsea odds on – 20/23 – to win, with the draw at 59/20 and an away win slightly longer at 33/10. It would certainly be a huge result for the Gunners if they could buck the odds and actually take three points. The reality though is that as well as embedding new players, Unai Emery is trying to do a U-turn with a juggernaut. The fixture computer could not have been much unkinder to him, and the hope is that if the predicted result occurs tomorrow, the pressure does not become too great too early. As I’ve said more than once, this is going to take time. My prediction? 2-1 to Chelsea.
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