‘Midfield battle holds the key’ – Mark Lawrenson predicts narrow Chelsea win against Arsenal
Former Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson has predicted a narrow win for Chelsea on Saturday.
Chelsea take on Arsenal this weekend as they look to lift their second trophy of the season.
Lawrenson believes Chelsea will record a 1-0 victory over thier London based rivals on Saturday.
“Arsenal are running out of central defenders – Laurent Koscielny is suspended, Gabriel is injured and Shkodran Mustafi is a fitness doubt,” Lawrenson told the BBC.
“Per Mertesacker is available after his long-term knee injury but the 37 minutes he played after coming on as a substitute against Everton last week is the only action he has seen all season.
“The key area on Saturday for Arsenal is not their defence, or their attack – which is very strong. It is in midfield.
“Chelsea will win comfortably if they take control of that area but Arsenal should not be short of numbers in there.
“I think it is imperative for the Gunners that they keep the game tight and fight and scrap like they did in their semi-final against Manchester City.
“We know Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is absolutely driven and he will be telling his players that they have one more game this season, and they have the chance to do something that hardly any players have achieved.
“I think that is how they will be approaching the game – to complete the job – and this Chelsea team is a machine that is very difficult to stop.
“Whatever the state of the game – whether they are holding on to a lead, or chasing a goal – they are ruthless.”
The Blues wrapped up the Premier League title earlier this month, finishing seven points ahead of second placed Tottenham.
Chelsea come into this weekend’s clash following six back-to-back wins in the league.
Arsenal also come into the FA Cup clash in hot form. The Gunners have registered five wins in a row.
The FA Cup is the only silverware the Gunners can lift this season.
Arsene Wenger’s side were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League following a 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.
Arsenal also ended the season in fifth place and will miss out on Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
Wenger’s future at Arsenal is cast in doubt with the French tactician’s contract set to expire this summer.