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[Image] Martinelli & Elneny start, duo ruled out: My Arsenal line-up vs Chelsea

By on May 12, 2021

gabriel martinelli 2019

Arsenal take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this evening evening. This is the team I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

There are reports circulating suggesting that Bernd Leno wants to leave this summer. I’m not sure how accurate they are but it would be disappointing if true. Particularly after we sold Emi Martinez last year. Anyway, Leno should start tonight.

Kieran Tierney was rested for the win over West Brom at the weekend. Bukayo Saka was excellent at left-back in his absence but I’d still recall Tierney tonight and move Saka further forward.

Pablo Mari is a doubt with a thigh injury while David Luiz has been ruled out with an on-going hamstring issue so Gabriel will start alongside Rob Holding in the middle of the Arsenal defence.

Hector Bellerin is pushing for a recall but I’d start Calum Chambers at right-back. He’s more solid defensively and we’ll need to be tight against a top class Chelsea side.

Granit Xhaka wasn’t spotted in training yesterday so it looks like he’ll be missing again for Arsenal this evening. Dani Ceballos is an option but I think Mo Elneny would be a better partner for Thomas Partey. We need to protect the defence and Elneny playing deeper would allow Partey more freedom to drive forward.

Martinelli starts

Gabriel Martinelli was disappointing up front at the weekend but I’ve always thought he looked more dangerous out wide. I’d love to see him given another chance on the wing this evening. Saka should also start and he and Martinelli can switch flanks throughout the game.

That means Nicolas Pepe would miss out on a starting spot along with Willian but they’d be options from the bench. Emile Smith Rowe is a doubt after picking up a knock on Sunday and I wouldn’t risk him from the start.

Martin Odegaard was rested against West Brom so he’ll be fresh to return in the No.10 role while I hope we see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang recalled to lead the line up front. Alexandre Lacazette will be an option from the bench.

This would be my Arsenal line-up:

football formations

2 Comments

  1. Ainslee Hafeni

    May 12, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    My Arsenal starting line up against Chelsea

    Ryan
    Soares Holding Gabriel Tierney

    Thomas Elneny
    Nelson Smith Rowe Saka

    Martinelli / Auba

  2. Stephan Larose

    May 12, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    Chambers is slow? How on Earth is he going to keep up with the pace of the Chelsea attack? This lineup is suicidal. Making the same schoolboy errors as Arteta. You have to deal with what the other team’s threats and nullify them, not amplify them. FFS.