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Chelsea are flying high these days and Arsenal are already in crisis, but our recent record against the Gunners is shockingly bad. We’ve lost three in a row including the 2020 FA Cup final, we’re winless in four dating back almost two years, and have won just three of the last twelve competitive, non-friendly meetings. Thankfully, one of those was the 2019 Europa League final. One of Tuchel’s rare losses in charge of Chelsea was against Arsenal as well.
To avoid succumbing to another frustrating result against the team who already lost a match this season to a newly promoted side, Chelsea will need to not only maintain our usual standard of focus, but raise it to the level needed in a derby. We’ve had a full week to get ready and we have a full week to rest until the trip to Liverpool next Saturday.
Helping our cause is the expected return to N’Golo Kanté and the unexpected availability of Hakim Ziyech. Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek remain in COVID protocol. Romelu Lukaku is ready to make his second debut.