Arsenal vs Chelsea: Predicted Starting XI’s For The Big Game
Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates on Monday night as two of this seasons title challengers go head-to-head.
Arsene Wenger’s men dropped to third in the table following wins for Liverpool and Manchester City on Saturday so the north Londoners will be looking for a win to regain top spot.
But they will have to do it without the services of defender Laurent Koscielny after the Frenchman was ruled out with a nasty cut to his knee suffered during last weeks defeat to Man City. Thomas Vermaelen will continue to deputise at the back.
The big decision for Wenger will be who to start in the centre of midfield. Mikel Arteta seems likely to return which may see Mathieu Flamini drop out with Aaron Ramsey keeping his place in the starting eleven. Jack Wilshere starts his two-match ban for making an obscene gesture towards the City fans last week.
Theo Walcott should start having scored two goals last time out while Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil are likely to make up the attack behind Olivier Giroud.
As for Chelsea, Jose Mourinho is expected to make some changes to the side that crashed out of the Capital One Cup to Sunderland on Tuesday.
Petr Cech, John Terry, Ramires, Oscar, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard are all expected to be recalled after being rested in midweek, while Fernando Torres should get the nod over Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba up front.
Branislav Ivanovic will return from suspension which will see Ashley Cole drop out and Cesar Azpilicueta return to left-back.
Here are our predicted line-ups:
What do you think of our teams? What eleven would you like to see start for your club? Share your suggestions below.
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atibanti
December 22, 2013 at 7:56 pm
9ce 1 though
rodney
December 22, 2013 at 8:37 pm
I wish cole starts and ivanovic sits on d bench
Omar
December 22, 2013 at 9:07 pm
I wonder if wenger is thinking of playing walcott upfront toworrow. Not just coz he scored against city, but that would allow him to play ozil, cazorla and rosicky in midfield. Giroud hasnt been in great form lately and against chelsea defence, walcott could be better suited with his pace
Tope
December 22, 2013 at 10:11 pm
I will like to see mikel in d midfield nd david luiz nd cahill in d central back
EL-AHJJ
December 22, 2013 at 10:27 pm
I wish to see mikel and luis on the field
samuel temitope bello
December 22, 2013 at 10:39 pm
Luiz and cahill @ back willian osca ramires midfield hazard torres mata @ front
Abdulrahman Rajab
December 22, 2013 at 11:28 pm
MAZACAR is agud combination 4 dat game,hop 2 c awin at emirates,
EL-AHJJ
December 22, 2013 at 11:33 pm
Mata is so much vital in this march
Taiwo ibrahim
December 23, 2013 at 3:13 am
I still prefer luiz than terry.
Collins
December 23, 2013 at 4:57 am
I will lyk de special 1 to use dis line-up against arsenal team: (defends) cech,terry,cahill,ivanovic,azpilicueta, (d/midfilders) mikel,ramires, (A/midfilders) mata,hazard,willian (striker) Torres.
coleman morgan
December 23, 2013 at 7:31 am
Good lineup for chelsea fc but i wish to see obi mikel instead of lampard
JOSEPH MUTHOGA
December 23, 2013 at 8:26 am
MATA AND LUIZ IMPORTANT PLAYERS IN TODAY’S GAMD.TERRY IN THE BENCH.
JOSEPH JOE
December 23, 2013 at 8:28 am
IVANOVIC GOOD DEFENDER.
Ogon Abraham
December 23, 2013 at 9:48 am
This a perfect formation .inshot this the formation i have in mind
Victor
December 23, 2013 at 11:00 am
I wan d happy 1 to start wit dis squad:cech,terry,cahill,cole,ivanovic,lampard,ramires,mata,oscar,hazard n torres.up blues
Roy
December 23, 2013 at 11:19 am
cart horse Terry must sit out this game-Luiz with all his problems is still a far better choice-Luis and Cahill were the centre halves when we won the CL and the Europa