After two back to back defeats, it’s the away trip to Stamford Bridge, where we haven’t won in the league since Sept 2020. Chelsea have not been in good form themselves, but that has not stopped them for turning up against us, especially at their turf.
With Alisson out, Mamardashvili will start in goal. He wasn’t troubled much at Galatasaray, but if we play like we did against Palace, it might be a real test for him.
If Gomez is fit, he needs to start along with VVD. It might be time to keep it simple, have players at their most comfortable position which means get Dom back in midifield and get the basics right.
For Chelsea, Palmer is injured and Chalobah is suspended among their key starters this season.
Possible line up:
Mamardashvilli - Szoboszlai Konate VVD Kerkez - Grav MacAllister Wirtz - Salah Ekitike Gakpo
What I would prefer:
Mamardashvilli - Frimpong Gomez VVD Kerkez - Grav Szoboszlai Wirtz - Salah Ekitike Chiesa
Whether Ekitike and Chiesa would be fit for this is yet to be seen.
Match Officials
Referee - Anthony Taylor
Assistant Referee #1 - Gary Beswick
Assistant Referee #2 - Adam Nunn
Fourth Official - Farai Hallam
VAR - Craig Pawson
VAR Assistant - Adrian Holmes
We are still the league leaders and would love if we still remain at top before the next international break, given our recent form. A good performance and solid display will be nice for a change.
Let’s start by letting the players play in their own positions. So no midfielders as full-backs when you have two fit full-backs available, and no full-backs playing as wingers. When Slot thinks Salah needs a rest, you should field the in-form winger Chiesa, but preferably let Salah play on Saturday and Chiesa on the left wing.
Oh, and for once, start from the beginning as if you want to win the match.
Chelsea are just as shit as we are at the moment.
But we havent won at the bridge for 5 years and Chelsea have been pretty average the last few years. I dont count last years defeat as we had already won the league but since winning it in April we havent played well at all.
Saturday evening? I thought this was on Sunday for some reason.
I suspect that Isak will have to start this one. After last night, it looked like the players who had been performing well so far were under the weather.
Incidentally, my wife pointed out that, since I bought that new scarf last week, we have lost both games. Should I get a priest out to exorcise the said garment before this game? Whilst I’m at it, should I ask him to beat the daemons out of Konaté?
By the time we kick off, Arsenal will be league leaders. Anything less than a win will have us behind them going into the international break. If we lose and Palace win, we will be third in the table.
How to mitigate against that is simple. Beat Chelsea.
Palace always seem to have our number, while Chelsea always seem to have our draw, no matter the form. I remember playing them when they were full of injuries, we were flying, and only got hard fought draw.
Major changes needed for this. Robertson back in with lesser-of-two-evils Bradley on the other side. That fucking lumbering dickhead who wants out needs dropping so bring Joe in to partner VVD.
Endo into midfield to offer a bit of protection to the defence - mainly down our RHS - with Gravenberch and Sloboslai.
If Etikite is fit I’d play him in place of Gakpo with Salah moved central and Chiesa on the right. If Etikite is out I’d play young Rio or Jones instead.
We have been playing slow, turgid, predictable shite for too long and the excuses need to stop. Anyone not performing, and let’s be honest there are 4 or 5 who fall into that category, need dropping.
I expect Slot will just pack the team with the same old faces though. If Endo, Gomez and Chiesa can’t get a start under the current circumstances then why the fuck are they still here?
Chelsea are nothing to fear so there’s no reason we can’t get a result here if we do the basics right.
I really want to hold faith it will click at some point but I just think this one comes at the worse time. A home game and i’d be confident. Too much critisicm and negative noise around us right now and we all know once it starts ramping up, a bad run usually follows along with all of the players showing signs of low confidence
Whats annoying about this is that there’s so much sense in applying these tactical changes.
What we’ll get is Szob at right back again, an unfit out of form Macca in the middle, another game of utter calamity from that centre back, complete anonymity from Wirtz and Isak being left out to dry upnfront.
A poor performance to utd too and questions will need to be asked about Slot’s full system ways. His hybrid system last year was so effective, it boggles the mind that we’ve changed it.
