Arsenal vs Chelsea: 5 key player battles that could grace the London Derby | Premier League

#3 Ben White vs Romelu Lukaku

Ben White has made Arsenal break their bank, this summer.

When talking about key player battles for this game, one simply cannot leave out two of the most expensive signings for either side - Arsenal's Ben White and Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku. Coincidentally, they will come face-to-face in the first London derby of the season this weekend.

White has been the most talked about signing in the red half of London this summer. The Gooners got their wish when the club announced the onboarding of the Brighton centre-back earlier last month. He is considered to be the final missing piece of the defensive puzzle that Arteta has been trying to solve ever since he came onboard last season.

Meanwhile, the other half of London, which welcomed the Champions League trophy for the second time, have been waiting for their eternal son from Belgium to grace Stamford Bridge. Big Rom is back in the Premier League. More importantly, with the Serie A winner having trained in the Inter Milan camp in the summer, he is ready to start for Tuchel's Chelsea this Sunday.

RL9. #️⃣ pic.twitter.com/1hLJdzzPDA

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2021

White will go up against the Chelsea striker's trademark style of facing away from goal and excellent ball control. Meanwhile, the Belgian will be hoping to silence critics of his poor Manchester United form from last time around. This has to be the biggest battle of the weekend for sure.

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#4 Granit Xhaka vs Mason Mount

Mason Mount is hands down the most explosive attacking player of Tuchel's Chelsea.

Another key battle that could ensue in the middle third, fairly in the Arsenal half, could be Granit Xhaka taking on the challenge of the fluid Mason Mount. Xhaka impressed with his performances at the Euros this summer and has been heavily linked with a move away from Arsenal. Meanwhile, Mount has been a hero around whom this current Chelsea squad has been building for quite some time now.

The England international, who is a product of Chelsea's academy, has been very instrumental in every Blues win despite failing to get on the scoresheet. His role was to create havoc in the half-spaces, while trying to pull the opposition out of position, eventually creating space for his teammates.

It will be very crucial for Xhaka to deal with this attribute that Mount displays week-over-week for Chelsea. Meanwhile, with Tuchel demanding some pressing in the opposition half, Mount will be wary of the Swiss midfielder's physical abilities. Not to mention his capabilities to progress the ball with ease.

This key head-to-head clash will decide who dominates the ball's progression through the middle.

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#5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Trevoh Chalobah

Aubameyang will be under immense scrutiny if he fails to find the net this season.

The contract extension last summer did not come as a good omen for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as the Gabon international has lost his goal-scoring touch big time since then. With Gabriel Martinelli rising through the ranks, Mikel Arteta could find himself in a tough spot with the Arsenal talisman if he doesn't find the net this season.

Aubameyang will be up against upcoming centre-back Trevoh Chalobah on Sunday. The English centre-back has risen to the occasion after Chelsea failed to sign a high-profile defender this summer. That said, he has put to rest any doubts revolving around his playing time. The 22-year-old not only put up a classic defensive performance against Crystal Palace in the 3-0 win, but also scored his first goal for Chelsea from long-range.

We all need @TrevohChalobah energy. 👌 pic.twitter.com/r36wsnr3yp

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 19, 2021

While Saka will be hugging the touchline on the other wing, Aubameyang will surely move inside as the game progresses. That will put him face-to-face with Chalobah. With both players being extremely pacey with or without the ball, it will be an interesting battle to watch this Sunday.