Arsenal face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with Mikel Arteta’s side looking to make it three successive Premier League victories after beating Manchester City last time out
Paul Merson believes that Chelsea’s uncertain lineup against Arsenal will give Mauricio Pochettino’s side an “advantage” ahead of the all-London clash on Saturday.
After beating rivals Manchester City 1-0 before the international break, Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge aiming to pick up another three points for their Premier League title charge, while Pochettino’s Blues hope to make it four wins in a row. Injuries have seen Chelsea’s lineup chop and change over the course of the season so far, but Merson reckons that it could be a positive for this fixture.
“One advantage Chelsea will have is that we virtually know what the Arsenal team is going to be. On the other hand, we have no idea what the Chelsea team will be,” the ex-Gunners midfielder wrote in his Sky Sports column.
“Mauricio Pochettino’s side can kick-start their season with a win. Chelsea had a great result against Burnley last time out, but they now have some unbelievably tough fixtures coming up. If they can get through them and get enough points in those games, then you would have to say they are going to be a threat and they have a chance.
“But this is also a big game for Arsenal. This can be another marker laid down for them. If they win this game, I’m looking at Arsenal as major, major players.”
One man who Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have to stop is Raheem Sterling, who scored and was the catalyst in Chelsea’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Burnley. Merson explained: “With where Chelsea are in the league, teams will not want to play them because on their day, they can beat anybody and when Raheem Sterling is playing like he did at Burnley, then he is unplayable.”
Ateta has described Pochettino’s work at Chelsea as “phenomenal,” having been teammates at Paris Saint-Germain during their playing careers. “It’s a big game and we know that there is a big history between the two clubs and the type of games we have played against them,” the Gunners manager affirmed.
“It’s a very different one I think. This season, I’ve been really impressed by Chelsea, they deserve much more than what they’ve got on the table. I think what Mauricio has done in such a short time is phenomenal and we’re going to have to be at our best.”
