Arsenal vs Chelsea: Predicted starting 11 for Gunners' first London derby this season
Arsenal comes up against Chelsea for this season's first London derby at the Emirates Stadium. With both teams in hot form, this is a game between two teams that could easily make up the Premier League's top two this season.
Arsenal have an excellent record against Chelsea in recent years. The years of Chelsea dominance are long gone, but the Blues will feel more optimistic for this new era under Xabi Alonso.
Alonso and Mikel Arteta know each other well, both on and off the field. They have a great friendship, but neither will have time for the niceties throughout the ninety minutes.
From a full Ezri Konsa debut to a tough Christos Tzolis vs Eberechi Eze decision, here's our best shot at predicting the Arsenal starting 11.
David Raya (GK) - With two clean sheets already under his belt this season, David Raya certainly keeps his spot between the sticks.
Ben White (RB) - Jurriën Timber is the preferred option, but he won't quite be ready for this match. Ben White has been excellent on the right side of the defence, which surprises absolutely nobody. Bukayo Saka's flying start to the season has been helped by the teammate who suits him most, White.
Gabriel (CB) - The best centre back in the world won't lose a second of sleep thinking about JPMorgan. He's eaten far more impressive attackers for breakfast.
Ezri Konsa (CB) - Cristhian Mosquera is a doubt heading into this game, so it should be a full debut for Ezri Konsa. He came off the bench against his old club Aston Villa, so he is match fit for Chelsea's visit across London.
Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - Arguably Arsenal's best player so far this season. With two Premier League assists under his belt already, expect Riccardo Calafiori to have his say in advanced positions.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - It would be a bold call to leave Bruno Guimarães out, but Myles Lewis-Skelly is more match-fit than his Brazilian counterpart. Luckily, there's no reason to bench Lewis-Skelly, who has been incredible lately. Besides, having Bruno come off the bench against a fairly weak Chelsea midfield is a promising thought.
Declan Rice (CM) - The player who so easily could have played for Chelsea will be in his new home to haunt them. Quite clearly the man for the big occasion, Declan Rice will immediately look to ease any concerns that any team is capable of coming for Arsenal's throne.
Martin Ødegaard (CM) - Another player who has been in exceptional form over the last few months for club and country is Martin Ødegaard. The Arsenal captain had a man-of-the-match performance in GW1, and he will be hoping for more of the same against Chelsea.
Bukayo Saka (RW) - The starboy is back, and Bukayo Saka has been Arsenal's top goal scorer so far this season. With five goals in his last five games for club and country, the break at the World Cup clearly inspired something in him.
Kai Havertz (CF) - Kai Havertz has a pretty obvious history with Chelsea, but he's an Arsenal player now. He's got quite the knack for scoring when Arsenal need him most, and a London derby against his old club is a glaring example of that.
Eberechi Eze (RW) - This one is a toss-up between Eberechi Eze and Christos Tzolis, but I've gone with the former here. While Tzolis continues to settle in, Eze can play backup on the right wing, and he should be called upon in this match due to how well he played against Aston Villa. Having Tzolis as an option late in the game is a nice wildcard to have.
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