Arsenal’s push for the Premier League title has received a timely boost following developments around the Africa Cup of Nations, with Chelsea also benefiting in their chase for a top-four finish.
The festive period brings a demanding run of league fixtures, including crucial meetings with a high-flying Aston Villa side. Chelsea host Unai Emery’s team on December 27, before Arsenal welcome Villa to the Emirates Stadium a few days later. All three clubs are firmly in the race for Champions League qualification, with Arsenal currently top of the table, Villa sitting third and Chelsea fourth after 16 matches.
Villa have been forced into a late squad change after winger Evann Guessand was called up to Ivory Coast’s AFCON squad following Sébastien Haller’s withdrawal through injury. Guessand, 24, joined Villa from Nice in the summer for around £30 million and has already made an impact in Europe, scoring twice in the Europa League against Go Ahead Eagles and Basel.
The AFCON call-up means Guessand will miss Villa’s upcoming Premier League clashes against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. The tournament gets underway this weekend in Morocco, with Ivory Coast opening their campaign against Mozambique on Christmas Eve. The Elephants are the defending champions, having defeated Nigeria 3-1 in the 2024 final, and the competition runs until January 18.
Arsenal and Chelsea are among five Premier League clubs unaffected by AFCON call-ups, a factor that could prove significant during this congested fixture schedule. While both sides are dealing with injury concerns — each with six players currently sidelined — Villa’s absence list now grows despite their outstanding form, having won nine consecutive matches.
Arsenal, in particular, will be eager to capitalise as they look to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Villa earlier in December and protect their lead at the top of the table.
Source: Football London
