Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Predicted starting XI – A thinning squad

Central Midfield

I have been waiting a long time for the midfield that I believe Wenger will field on Wednesday night.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Ever since Jack Wilshere returned to the team and proved that he could rediscover his exuberance of his younger days, I was gawping at the prospect of seeing him and Aaron Ramsey join one another at the heart of the Arsenal midfield. And, for the first time this season, I believe that we may get to see it.

In fact, had Ramsey not missed the Palace game with the flu, I feel that we would have seen it at the weekend. But he did. Wenger, in his pre-match press conference, did admit that Ramsey would face a late fitness test to confirm his availability, but I hope, and tentatively expect, him to be ready for selection.

Alongside Wilshere and Ramsey, I predict that Wenger will shift Granit Xhaka back into a slightly deeper midfield position. With Elneny starting in place of Ramsey, Xhaka was afforded a more advanced position on Saturday. But if Ramsey were to return, it is reasonable to expect the Swiss to drop back into the anchoring role that he has played most frequently this season.