Arsenal and Chelsea have engaged in a lot of transfer business with each other in the past, and there are several players to focus on with the two set to face each other tonight.
Mikel Arteta’s side will hope to continue their title challenge, whilst also piling further misery onto Chelsea, who are currently in ninth place in the Premier League.
Chelsea have struggled in the last two seasons despite heavy spending, which saw them sign several key Arsenal targets.
Winger Mykhaylo Mudryk was on the verge of joining Arsenal last year before Chelsea swooped in at the last second, whilst Moises Caicedo was also the subject of big money bids from Arteta and Edu Gaspar before eventually moving to Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal have helped fund Chelsea’s spending somewhat, signing Jorginho and Kai Havertz from the West Londoners in back-to-back windows, and both players are now popular amongst the Arsenal fanbase, much to the dismay of former Blues star Joe Cole.
Joe Cole laments Kai Havertz transfer ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea
Speaking via The Mirror, the former Chelsea winger claimed that he was sad to see his old club sell Havertz to Arsenal.
“I always liked him as a number nine. I always thought he was a brilliant player for Chelsea. he came in with a massive transfer fee and he’s come in and played in multiple positions,” he stated.
“I think he always did a good job, ultimately with scoring a winning goal in the final. I’ve always liked him, I didn’t want to see him go and he’s gone there and he’s done really well and he’s found his feet.
Joe Cole explains why Kai Havertz thrives as a centre-forward
Havertz did initially struggle in a midfield role since joining Arsenal, but did thrive as a centre-forward as Arteta’s side went 11 Premier League games unbeaten, and Cole has explained why this is his best position.
“He’s a box player. He’s one of them. Wherever he plays as a number nine or where he plays as a false nine or wherever he plays, he’s got a lovely instinct to score goals and weight of pass and calmness.
“I think he’s one of them. I think I would love to have seen him stay at Chelsea. I really would have.
“I think he’s a cracking player, just when he was playing that role for Chelsea, that role’s synonymous with the last 20 years of Drogba, Torres, Costa., Recognised centre-forwards, Chelsea fans are used to having that. I thought he did a great job for Chelsea and he’s a great signing for Arsenal.”
Havertz is likely to start against Chelsea tonight, and having reached his best goals and assists tally in a Premier League campaign this season, he will play with a point to prove against his old club.