Arsenal could return to the top of the Premier League table if they can pick up a much-needed three points against Chelsea tonight.
The title shifted into Manchester City's hands in Arsenal's last outing, with Mikel Arteta's side losing 4-1 at the Etihad, making it four consecutive games without a win. After City's victory over Fulham on the weekend, Pep Guardiola's side overtook the Gunners into first, but Mikel Arteta's side could move back to the top when they face an out-of-form Chelsea.
The Blues haven't won in their last eight games across all competitions, with Frank Lampard's side 12th in the Premier League table with an extremely tough run of fixtures ahead. Arsenal have won their last three clashes against the Blues in the Premier League, with Gabriel scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win in the last meeting.
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So, which side could put an end to their poor run of form tonight? We simulated the game to find out.
We simulated Arsenal vs Chelsea to get a score prediction
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
We predict that the Blues could line up in a 3-5-1-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Kepa; Fofana, Silva, Badiashile; Loftus-Cheek, Kante, Fernandez, Kovacic, Chilwell; Gallagher; Havertz.
Arsenal had some big chances to take the lead in the opening 10 minutes of the game, but Bukayo Saka was lacking the devastating finish on two occasions, with both his efforts flashing wide. Chelsea rarely threatened the Arsenal goal, but in the 36th minute, they took the lead with their first opportunity of the game.
Mateo Kovacic poked a pass into the box for Conor Gallagher to chase, and the Englishman got to the ball ahead of Rob Holding who tripped the midfielder, giving away a penalty. Kai Havertz stepped up to take, and the German sent Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way with a well-taken spot kick.
The goal came against the run of play, but in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Arsenal scored twice to turn the game on its head. Saka was pulled back by Thiago Silva in the box six minutes after the restart as the Gunners were awarded a spot kick of their own, and the winger stepped up to take, finding the top left corner to draw the game level.
Arsenal made it 2-1 just minutes later, with Martin Odegaard finishing off a fantastic team move. Some nice passing play in the middle saw Arsenal work the ball to Gabriel Jesus in the box, and a smart flick into the path of Odegaard saw the Gunners captain guide his effort down the middle of the goal to take the lead.
Arteta's side had full control of the game, and the task at hand for Chelsea became even tougher when Benoit Badiashile received his second yellow, reducing the Blues to 10 men. After going a man down, Chelsea looked extremely vulnerable at the back, and they were exposed in the final 10 minutes when Arsenal grabbed two more.
Leandro Trossard weaved through the Chelsea midfield before firing towards goal from range, and an error saw Kepa spill the ball into the path of Jesus, who tapped into an empty net.
Moments later, a long ball forward from Oleksandr Zinchenko was met by Jesus, and after heading the ball past Wesley Fofana, the Brazilian volleyed a brilliant strike over Kepa and into the top corner of the net.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
FIFA 23 predicts that Chelsea could fail to trouble Arsenal in the Gunners' title charge, with the game ending 4-1 to the Gunners in the simulation. Apart from an early penalty, Lampard's side struggled in attack, and they were no match for Arsenal at the back as Arteta's side ran riot in the second half.
What do you think the final score will be between Arsenal and Chelsea? Let us know in the comments!
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