How Chelsea can upset league leaders Arsenal using three brilliant tactical changes

• Arsenal will make the short trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, November 6 to take on Chelsea in a crunch clash
• The Gunners are favourite to win the game, but Graham Potter’s side have proven to be a tough opponent at times this season
• Chelsea could get an edge over Arsenal if some tactical changes are made in the game to cope with Mikel Arteta’s playing style

The notorious London derby involving Chelsea and Arsenal is upon us once again, with the two sides set for a mammoth clash on Sunday.

On paper, it is the visitors' Arsenal who are overwhelming favourites to clinch all three points as they seek to establish a wider lead at the top of the table.

This is against what fans have been used to in recent years as it has always been Arsenal looking to dent Chelsea’s title hopes in the past.

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But with the World Cup coming up, it is Mikel Arteta’s side that is looking to go into the mid-season break at the top of the table.

From a tactical perspective, here are three areas where the game could be won and lost:

1. The Aubameyang factor

Aubameyang is already causing a stir from the Chelsea camp after joining his former club Arsenal’s arch rivals.

The Gabon international has a 50% chance of playing against his former side, but his presence might actually work against his new team, tactically speaking.

Aubameyang, like Ronaldo at Manchester United, is not cut-out for the high pressing game, which has proven to be the most effective in stopping Arsenal.

It might be in Potter’s best interest to start high-energy and more youthful players like Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount or Kai Havertz up front.

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2. Quelling Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus’ biggest flaw in his game is the fact that he is not a natural born scorer.

But what he lacks for in finishing prowess, he makes up with a seamless ability to integrate to a manager’s tactics.

For one thing, Arteta likes his strikers playing with the back to goal, so this allows for some brilliant hold off play and the ability to link up with fellow teammates up front.

Jesus is a master at this, and Chelsea will need to quell the danger the Brazilian poses inside the box, despite his fairly average physical size.

3. Back five to stop Arsenal’s free scoring

Before the Brighton game, Chelsea had only conceded four goals under Graham Potter.

This was largely because of Potter’s preferred 3-4-3 formation, which switches to a 5-4-1 when Chelsea are in defense mode.

In recent matches, this proved to be counterproductive for the Blues going forward as the midfield battle was always lost, but against Arsenal, it could actually work.

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The Gunners have been free-scorers this season, and the more numbers Chelsea have behind the ball, the harder it will be for Arteta’s men to pick out pockets of space.

Arteta’s reaction to Pique’s retirement

Sports Brief also earlier reported on Mikel Arteta’s reaction when he learnt Gerard Pique was retiring from football.

Arteta was speaking after his side’s 1-0 win over Zurich and he looked to be in genuine disbelief.

Pique shocked the football world on Thursday, November 3 after taking to social media to announce his football career was coming to an end.