Jase

This probably means that one of Werner or Pulisic will have to start 2 games in 3 days.

+ Hakim Ziyech not fit to face Arsenal.

There's no entirely a clear pattern here but a lot of Arsenal's recent losses have come when they saw a lot more of the ball: Arsenal's Opponents - Arsenal's Possession Stat - Result Fulham - 54.4% - W West Ham - 62.6% - W Liverpool - 34% - L Sheffield Utd - 64.5% - W Man City - 41.5% - L Leicester - 56.3% - L Man Utd - 46.7% - W Aston Villa - 58.8% - L Leeds - 33.7% - D Wolves - 56.2% - L Arsenal - 69.8% - L Burnley - 64.7% - L Southampton - 35.2% - D Everton - 57.8% - L Given that and Arsenal's lack of creativity going forward, I wonder whether Lampard will set up to play on the counter...or just try to attack them and potentially leave us susceptible to counter attacks like what happened in the FA Cup final last season and our recent losses at Everton and Wolves.

Who exactly? Maatsen is out on loan and Azpi is already gonna play this game. Playing another person out of position at LB is just silly, especially when Villa are no mugs this season.

I know but I mentioned that only because Chilwell is reportedly out for 2 weeks and we have 2 games in 3 days coming up. Can Emerson play 2 games in 3 days? I know the argument would be that he hasn't played a lot but playing 2 games in 3 days is still a lot for anyone. Moreover, it's not as if Lampard has never brought someone back from the cold.

Werner competing for the No.10 role? If the 4-2-3-1 would cause problems because Mount and Havertz would be competing for the No.10 role (Havertz has the higher ceiling compared to Mount in terms of creativity and goal threat to shine in the No.10 role), then equally, the 4-3-3 is already causing problems because of how Werner is being used and I have major doubt whether Lampard even sees Werner as the main ST in the long run in this 4-3-3. If we are to play Werner as the main striker, then 4-2-3-1 could be a possibility to do so. Unlike 4-3-3 where he might get isolated upfront (would still like to see it tried at some point), he would have a No.10 closer to support him in addition to the 2 wingers. At the moment, I'm not sure if 4-3-3 will be main formation going forward especially when Lampard just stumbled upon it.

Yeah, they are but still, anyone going down now with the virus would be BS for us given the fixture congestion.

I suppose it coincided with Klopp making Liverpool a force again but our record against them ever since he took over is horrendous.

Oh...

Somewhat off topic but with the festive period coming up and the whole thing about the new COVID-19 strain spreading wildly in the UK, hope the players don't go do anything stupid during their off time.

Has gone off injured.

No, the 3-4-3 setup just didn't work at the Emirates last year and Emerson happened to put in a horrendous performance on top of that. He was brought off, Jorginho came on and changed the game from there.

Oh, just you wait after we play Aston Villa!

Not even sure Emerson can play 2 games in 3 days first anyway. Suspect we might see Alonso in one of the 2 upcoming games. Silva will face only either Arsenal or Villa.

3 minutes in and Man City are already 1-0 up against Arsenal...

Matt Law with some transfer updates for January... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/12/22/chelsea-hopeful-ben-chilwell-wont-long-left-back-doubt-christmas/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/12/22/chelsea-hopeful-ben-chilwell-wont-long-left-back-doubt-christmas/ Looks like Chilwell will certainly miss this game and the following 2 league games after that, according to Matt Law. His injury isn't serious but there could be some minor damage to his ligaments. Would likely be out for 2 weeks.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/12/22/chelsea-hopeful-ben-chilwell-wont-long-left-back-doubt-christmas/ According to Matt Law...

But it's not like he completely skied it over, is it? It happens to everyone and on another day, that would have gone in. Moreover, the only reason this opportunity is even talked about is because of his goal drought. Every chance not converted gets magnified 10x more than usual and some times over-analyzed.

Not a surprise in the end, I guess but Arteta has gone with this XI against Man City tonight...

We have 4 days between yesterday's game and this game on Saturday. Given our record under Lampard, anyone wants to take a guess on what sudden injury might pop up before Saturday?

IF we lose to Arsenal, we might have our own AFTV in Mana.

Think Haaland might stay at Dortmund for another season, assuming they finish in the Top 4, and should not also forget that Haaland's agent is Mino Raiola. Don't think the club like dealing with him very much.