Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Predicted starting XI – A thinning squad

By Andrew Dowdeswell

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on December 31, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on December 31, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Ainsley Maitland-Niles
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 03: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal and Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea battle for possession 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) /

Full Backs

Nacho Monreal, like Koscielny, returned to action in a somewhat dramatic manner on Saturday. He scored the opening goal, assisted the second and third goals, and created another chance also, all in the space of the 34 minutes that he was on the pitch for, being substituted with what looked like a resurgence of the ankle injury he had just recovered from.

It seemed like a precaution and Wenger has stated that the Spaniard will face late tests to see if he will be available for selection against Chelsea. If Monreal is fit, then he will play; if he is not, then the decision boils down to a simple one of system and fit. If it’s a back three with wing-backs, then Sead Kolasinac plays; if it’s a back four with full-backs, then Ainsley Maitland-Niles plays. As a result, I predict that Maitland-Niles will start.

Opposite, it would be a shock if anyone played in Hector Bellerin’s stead. The ever-present Spaniard is the only outfield player to play every Premier League minute in the squad. While this is not a league fixture, it is still an extremely important one. Bellerin starts, irresptive of the system.