Arsenal host Chelsea at The Emirates in the Premier League as they look to close the gap top the top four.
Mikel Arteta has named his team for the game, with Calum Chambers and Matteo Guendouzi coming in for Grant Xhaka and Sokratis.
Twitter: 🚨 Two changes from Boxing Day
➡️ Chambers, Guendouzi
⬅️ Sokratis, Xhaka#ARSCHE (@Arsenal)
These Arsenal fans reacted to the team…
Release it…
Twitter: @Arsenal Can someone from the club release a statement explaining why we bought Pepe? (@Chris2104_)
Again…
Twitter: @Arsenal No Pepe again, really hope we win. (@Cappieechris)
How?
Twitter: @Arsenal How is Pepe not starting over Nelson?
Just win anyway (@DeraOzoagu)
Why?
Twitter: @Arsenal Why arent we starting Pepe??? (@superklovn)
Strange…
Twitter: @Arsenal Once again maitland niles and Nelson and no pepe. Very strange. (@ChrisSlavin3)
What was the point?
Twitter: @Arsenal What was the point for Pepe not starting against Bournemouth if he’s not gonna start today aswell 🙃 (@GabiMartiBalDor)
READ ARSENAL VERDICT
Nicolas Pepe has not yet started under Arteta, which does make you wonder whether he is in the Spaniard’s plans long-term. He is Arsenal’s club-record signing and had been improving towards the end of Unai Emery’s tenure, yet Arteta does not seem to think he is good enough to start.
It’s a strange one, but only Arteta will know why he is not picking the Ivorian at present. Maybe he is struggling with a minor knock or Arteta is planning to bring him in in the coming games and work out the best way to utilise him in his line up.
