Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Predicted starting XI – Chasing the trophy

By Andrew Dowdeswell

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 889346808 and 861285074) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal (L) and Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea. Arsenal and Chelsea meet in a Premier League match on January 3, 2017 at the Emirates Stadium in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks dejected after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on October 14, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 889346808 and 861285074) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal (L) and Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea. Arsenal and Chelsea meet in a Premier League match on January 3, 2017 at the Emirates Stadium in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks dejected after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on October 14, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Antonio Conte
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED – COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES – Image numbers (L) 889346808 and 861285074) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal (L) and Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea. Arsenal and Chelsea meet in a Premier League match on January 3, 2017 at the Emirates Stadium in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks dejected after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on October 14, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge to face an imposing Chelsea side in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. Here is the Gunners’ predicted starting XI.

After Sunday’s shock 4-2 loss to Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup, it becomes very quickly apparent that the Carabao Cup is Arsenal’s only chance of domestic silverware this season. So, suddenly, their semi-final against Chelsea, of which the first leg is on Wednesday, is a game of great importance. Will that change how Arsene Wenger sets up his team, even with a raft of injuries and hoping to compete in the Premier and Europa League?

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Here is the Gunners’ predicted starting XI.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: David Ospina (R) of Arsenal talks to the assistant referee during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on January 7, 2018 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: David Ospina (R) of Arsenal talks to the assistant referee during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on January 7, 2018 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper

Wenger has already stated that David Ospina will start between the sticks. Let’s move on.