Ahead of Arsenal’s match against Chelsea, manager Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence that his team can reclaim the lead in the Premier League title race, currently held by Manchester City. Arsenal has the opportunity to move four points clear of City with a victory, putting pressure on the reigning champions. Arteta believes it is advantageous for Arsenal to play before City, as it allows them to increase the pressure by winning their matches.
Jones Knows provides his expert betting picks and analysis for the midweek Premier League fixtures, including Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea and Bournemouth’s high offside line.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino faces a significant injury crisis ahead of the Premier League London derby against Arsenal on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium. Top scorer Cole Palmer is set to miss out through illness, while Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell are being assessed for knee injuries. Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez, and Levi Colwill are also unavailable for the Blues.
Jurrien Timber, Arsenal’s big-money summer signing, made a remarkable comeback from injury with a stunning goal in the U21 side’s match against Blackburn. After eight months on the sidelines with a knee injury, the Dutch defender picked up the ball on the left flank, turned his defender, and unleashed a brilliant right-footed effort that curled into the top corner just eight minutes into the match. Fans lauded Timber for his goal and expressed their eagerness to see him return to the first team. Timber was taken off at half-time but almost doubled his tally with another powerful effort that flew just wide. Mikel Arteta will assess Timber’s fitness ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming matches.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal face Chelsea on Tuesday with uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Takehiro Tomiyasu. Tomiyasu missed Saturday’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers with a knock, while Jurrien Timber remains out with an ACL injury. Oleksandr Zinchenko could return to the starting lineup in place of Jakub Kiwior, who struggled against Wolves. Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice are expected to keep their places in midfield, while Gabriel Jesus may make way for Kai Havertz if Jorginho is recalled to the number six role. Gabriel Martinelli could start ahead of Leandro Trossard in attack.
Arsenal will look to bounce back from their Champions League exit and extend their Premier League lead when they host Chelsea in a tantalising London derby on Tuesday. The Blues, meanwhile, will be looking to put their FA Cup semi-final disappointment behind them and boost their European hopes.
Jurrien Timber, Arsenal’s summer acquisition, made a remarkable return to action by scoring a magnificent goal just eight minutes into his comeback match for the U21 side. Despite facing Blackburn Rovers U21 in a Premier League 2 match, the goal showcased Timber’s talent and has excited Arsenal fans.
Midweek Premier League fixtures include the Merseyside derby and a London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea. Alan Brazil from talkSPORT provides exclusive bet builder boosts for these matches. Arsenal, who recently regained the top spot, aims to extend their lead against Chelsea. Cole Palmer, with 20 season goals, poses a threat, while both teams contribute to corner opportunities. Liverpool’s high-scoring matches and Mohamed Salah’s goal-scoring prowess make over 2.5 goals and Salah’s shots on target likely in the Merseyside derby against Everton. James Tarkowski’s history of yellow cards adds another betting angle.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is on track to make a comeback this season, but Sunday’s north London derby may come too soon. Timber has been sidelined with a knee injury since the start of the campaign, but is set to play for Arsenal’s Under-21s against Blackburn on Monday. Manager Mikel Arteta believes Timber could still play for the first team before the end of the season, with five games remaining. However, Arteta is cautious about rushing the defender, who is eager to make the Netherlands squad for the Euros this summer.
Jose Mourinho has criticized Mikel Arteta’s defensive strategy used in Arsenal’s goalless draw against Manchester City, claiming it’s not a sustainable approach to success. Mourinho believes the tactics, which saw Arsenal defend with a low block and five or six central defenders, are solely focused on defensive stability rather than innovation.
