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, Mesut Ozil
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal is challenged by Martin Kelly of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Front Three

With Alexis Sanchez now officially out the Arsenal door, those still in the squad can refocus their attentions on the goings-on on the pitch, and not the distractions that take place in the boardrooms, the meeting rooms, and through the weasely agents’ phones.

Unfortunately for Wenger, though, that refocusing highlights a rather stark shortcoming in his current squad: He doesn’t have that many attackers to choose from.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is cup-tied, having already featured in the Carabao Cup for Manchester United earlier in the season, Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud are still a little short of being ready to play, while Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson, like on Saturday, are the only other options that Wenger could turn to. As such, I envisage the same front three starting as against Palace: Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette.

Next: Arsenal: Ideal starting XI with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

The Arsenal bench could again be quite weak, so it is important that they are able to establish themselves quickly and hopefully build an advantage before the hour-mark. That will be extremely difficult to do. But the limited options may make it a necessity. This is sure to be an extremely intriguing tie indeed.