Arsenal and Chelsea renew hostilities for a Premier League London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Gunners will be looking to continue their dominance over their London rivals. Arsenal have won four of their last five matches against Chelsea in the league.
Arsenal have won their last two Premier League games against Chelsea and are looking to win three such games on the trot for the first time since 2004, but manager Mikel Arteta believes Chelsea will be “dangerous” opponents for Arsenal.
“I don’t know what their approach will be. They are really dangerous because when you look at the individuals that they can put on that field, for sure they have huge threats so we need to be aware of that.
“They are going to try to come to the Emirates to beat us. They have a great manager and exceptional players, so it is very difficult to predict what they will do because they can play in various ways with different players and different qualities as well. We are going to prepare for the game to win it, that’s it.
“It is going to be a very different game. It is a London derby and they have something to prove, and we have something to prove. The atmosphere is going to be incredible to play in that stadium and we are going to have to be at our best again,” said Arteta.
Chelsea won this fixture by a 2-0 margin last season and could achieve consecutive victories in Premier League away games against Arsenal for only the second time in their history.
Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could start for Chelsea against his former team when the Blues visit the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The former-Arsenal striker is fit and available for selection for tonight’s clash and Chelse caretaker manager Frank Lampard admits Aubameyang’s ‘certain motivation’ could see him involved in some form at the home of the Gunners.
‘I would say that is a position where, probably more than anywhere on the pitch, you need to be sharp, firing and consistent in your work. That is what makes top strikers. If you are out of the team for a while, when you come back with that lack of edge, it is very difficult. Top strikers play regularly, stay fit, and score goals. It all goes hand in hand.’
The 44-year-old admits he has seen two different sides to the Gabonese forward since he returned as caretaker manager on 6 April, with his undoubted attacking potency often not aligning with his match fitness or sharpness.
‘When I came in, it was clear that Aubameyang had not played a lot of minutes this season. But what was also clear was the level of player we have. I have had no time to look at players in training over big areas, as we’ve had a game coming every few days. I’ve had no time to see where he is at, other than feeling,’ our caretaker manager said.
“It was good to see him come on against Brentford and look as he looked. I won’t put too much pressure on him because he might still need time. Maybe I, and we, do not have time this season,’ he continued.
A win for Arsenal will see them reclaim their position at the top of the Premier League standings, while victory for Chelsea will move them above Crystal Palace to 11th place.
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