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U-23s: Chelsea v Arsenal - Preview

THE STORY SO FAR

Our under-23s will be hoping to bounce back from defeat against Tottenham, with a selection of regular starters likely to return following their involvement in the first team’s game against Norwich.

Steve Gatting’s side battled back from two goals down, but were ultimately beaten 3-2 at Hotspur Way in the north London derby.

THE OPPOSITION

The Blues come into Saturday’s match on a run of six games without a win, having been held to a goalless draw by West Ham in their last match.

With just seven points from eight games, the hosts are in 11th place, hovering above Manchester United, who are bottom of the table.

ONE TO WATCH

Eddie Nketiah

Eddie Nketiah struck twice on his home debut at Emirates Stadium against Norwich City

Fresh off the back of his Carabao Cup heroics with the first-team, Eddie Nketiah is likely to return to Gatting’s side this weekend.

The forward scored just 15 seconds into his home debut at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night against Norwich City, and scored the winner in extra-time to seal a 2-1 win for Arsene Wenger’s side.

“I know that he has character and is not afraid,” Wenger told Arsenal Player. “He smells the combination movements, he can give and go and once a player has that in his game, they have always a chance.”

The 18-year-old became the first player to score under Wenger who hadn’t been born when the boss took over in 1996.

LAST TIME WE MET

We were 4-1 winners the last time we faced Chelsea, with Danny Welbeck (2), Donyell Malen and Reiss Nelson getting on the scoresheet.

Returning from injury, Welbeck opened the scoring with a header, while Malen added a second shortly before the break. Following the interval Welbeck struck once more, before Ike Ugbo pulled a goal back for the visitors. In the final minutes Nelson added a fourth to wrap up the scoring.

Click here to read our match report from the game.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

There will be a full match report following the game on Arsenal.com and there will be live updates on our Twitter account - @Arsenal

Kick-off is at 1pm (UK time)