Bukayo Saka fit play one surprise role for Arsenal when dem face Chelsea, all to allow one returning goalscorer enter the lineup, according to one Gunners legend.
Mikel Arteta go carry him boys go Stamford Bridge for the biggest Premier League match this weekend. Chelsea dey six points behind Arsenal for table as almost one-third of the season don waka.
Both teams dey high morale after Champions League qualification. Chelsea knack Barcelona 3-0, while Arsenal beat Bayern Munich 3-1, even though Leandro Trossard injury cast small shade on the victory.
Luckily for Arteta, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke come off bench score against Bayern after dem return from injury. Both fit replace Trossard for left wing.
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believe say Martinelli go start, but he also reason whether Saka fit shift go left so Madueke go hold the right wing against him former club.
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Saka Fit Play Left Wing?
Parlour tell Sports Mole: “Madueke na good impact player, but I think Martinelli go start. I no sabi whether Chelsea go still use Reece James for midfield or shift am back to right-back.
“Martinelli dey more natural for left. Madueke get pace but na right side he dey prefer. Saka dey that right normally. But if Arteta dey think Madueke, Saka fit shift go left — he don play there before. But I feel he go still keep Saka for right.
“Martinelli suppose start left, then Madueke go enter later for impact with him pace, especially last 25 minutes.
“The interesting part be say Madueke dey go back to him old club. E fit influence Arteta small, but I still feel Martinelli go start left.”
Saka no new to left side. He start senior career as left-back and don play 43 matches for Arsenal as left winger or left midfield — but none since 2021/22.
Why Arsenal Fit Suppose Collect Draw Against Chelsea
Arsenal never lose for Stamford Bridge for over seven years and dem never lose to Chelsea anywhere since August 2021.
But Parlour talk say draw no be bad result, even if Manchester City fit reduce Arsenal lead to five points if dem beat Leeds.
He add: “I go collect draw. Arsenal get very good record for Chelsea. E go dey interesting who hold possession pass. Arsenal sabi keep ball, but Chelsea dangerous too.
“Estevao na mad talent, Neto don step up, midfield dey strong — Caicedo dey ball. The main battle na midfield: Zubimendi, Rice wey dey play mad now, then Chelsea side get Fernandez, Caicedo and whoever else.
“Na there dem go dictate. But Chelsea no dey face offside merchants — Arsenal get proper defensive units. Whether Delap start, Arsenal must hold ground early.
“After dem beat Barcelona, Chelsea go rush come. Arsenal away from home — just keep am tight early. Chances go come. Barcelona get big chances but no fit finish.”
Parlour still yarn about the title race, warning Arsenal say even if dem beat Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool still get capacity to repeat the kain long unbeaten runs wey Wenger produce.
