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, Mesut Ozil
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 03: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal runs with the ball as Cesar Azpilicueta of Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on January 3, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Front Three

This is where, I believe, we will see Wenger’s desire (read: desperation) to win a trophy. I predict that he will start Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette in the front-three attacking positions.

The Carabao Cup is certainly not a competition that I believe they would have envisaged themselves playing in. But this is now the best chance that Arsenal have of winning a trophy, and I’m not sure how much Wenger will care about their desire to play in the competition.

It is in these positions and these players that Arsenal have invested their resources and their tactics. It is time to unleash them with a trophy on the line. And given that they have hardly featured in Europe, the Carabao Cup or FA Cup this season, concerns regarding their freshness should not be too serious.

Next: Arsenal Vs Forest: 3 Gunners that let themselves down

Chelsea will be a tough out, even if Antonio Conte rests many of his stars. But Arsenal beat them in last season’s FA Cup final, and they can beat them again with another competition in their sights.