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Arsenal’s Predicted Starting XI to Face Chelsea FC
By Josh Sippie
The midweek match-up went worse than expected. Something about the Champion’s League just always seems to bring out a completely different Arsenal. But that game is behind us. What Arsenal have next is against a bottom of the table opponent. Meanwhile, Arsenal is sitting pretty in fourth place.
However, that bottom of the table opponent is Chelsea. Chelsea also played their first Champion’s League match. They whooped up on Tel Aviv 4-0. Momentum rarely transfers between competitions, but Arsenal is the one thing in the way of Chelsea starting a serious rally. The defending champs know they are better than what they have been playing. They will be chomping at the bit to take it out on Arsenal.
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Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger in particular, have already ended the winless drought against Chelsea when they beat the Blues 1-0 in the Community Shield. That is well and good. It got us a cute little trophy. But this is a different ball game. This is the Premier League. Both sides are at a point where they need a win. Chelsea wants to avoid ever touching the relegation zone. Arsenal have to put Dinamo Zagreb behind them and continue their EPL momentum.
Arsenal do not have any key injuries. Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky are still out but beyond that, all looks well. Per Mertesacker was held out at midweek from his virus but he is expected to be better by the weekend.
Chelsea do have some problematic injuries. Gary Cahill is fit and ready to go but both Willian and Pedro look like they will miss the contest. This relieves significant pressure off of the Arsenal full backs.
With all that in mind, here is the starting XI that Arsene Wenger could feasibly deploy.
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