Arsenal’s Premier League journey is talking a familiar course as Wenger’s side are slowly losing the plot since the turn of the year. They have now dropped 5 points in the last 4 games and are slowly moving down the points table and are now facing arguably their toughest league game this weekend. In what is the match of the week, Antonio Conte’s top of the table Chelsea welcomes the Gunners to the Bridge in a top of the table clash, which can potentially decide the outcome of the season.
The Blues are fresh from a stalemate at Anfield earlier this week and if they drop points in this game, the title race will be blown wide open. Chelsea are currently 9 points off Spurs and can push it to 12 while Arsenal can reduce the gap to 6 with a victory.
Here is the predicted lineup that Wenger might field for this crunch tie.
Team News:
In early team news, Arsene Wenger revealed that midfielder Aaron Ramsey will miss this game through an injury and will join the list of absentees that includes Santi Cazorla, Mathieu Debuchy and Yaya Sanogo for Arsenal. Granit Xhaka remains suspended while Mohamed Elneny is still busy with national duties.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Petr Cech:
The first choice shot-stopper for Arsenal this season, Cech has been tremendous in front of goal and will hope to have a good game returning to the Stamford Bridge, his previous home.
Hector Bellerin:
The Spaniard is among the best players in that position in the league and he will up against the likes of Eden Hazard on the night for Arsenal.
Laurent Koscielny:
The French defender has been at his best this season and has been the backbone of the defense for Arsenal. He should start this game for the visitors.
Shkodran Mustafi:
The summer buy for Arsenal, Mustafi has already cemented a place in the starting XI under Wenger and should partner Koscielny at the back for the Gunners.
Nacho Monreal:
The first choice right-back for Arsenal, Monreal has been decent in the last few outings and should keep his place in the side for this tie.
Francis Coquelin:
The midfield lynchpin for Arsenal this season, Coquelin, has been solid in the midfield for his side and is expected to have a decent game against Chelsea.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain:
With Arsenal missing their key players in the midfield, Wenger has no other option but to play Chamberlain alongside Coquelin for this crunch tie.
Theo Walcott:
The English winger has blown cold in the last couple of games and Wenger will hope that he performs his back this weekend.
Mesut Ozil:
The German playmaker will have to be at his best on the night if Arsenal are to take anything away from this short trip to the Bridge.
Alexis Sanchez:
The Chilean has been pushed back into the winger’s role recently and Wenger should keep him there to test the likes of Moses and Azpilicueta on the night against the Blues.
Danny Welbeck:
The English striker has made a decent comeback from a lengthy injury and he should keep his place in the squad in attack for this Premier League tie.