Defenders:
Kieran Gibbs should play in the left back slot in the starting eleven while Bacary Sagna playing at right back, has a game on his hands stacked up against the dazzling Eden Hazard. Chelsea’s mesmerizing midfield will look to cause trouble to Mertesacker and Koscielny in the centre back defensive partnership of the traveling side. The English-German pair will have to stay put the entire course of ninety minutes to keep their pace at the top of the table coming up against a more than formidable opposition who haven’t failed to score at home this season.
Midfield:
If I were Arsene Wenger, I would look for more caution, not to concede early into the encounter. Hence both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini as the double pivot in the middle with the latter acting as the destroyer. Even though there are a plethora of injury concerns, Lukas Podolski will should start from the bench as the impressive Tomas Rosicky can start on the left side.
Santi Cazorla will continue to play in the hole behind Giroud in the absence of the injured Mesut Ozil while, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can play on the right wing as his directness and raw pace will be the key for the Gunners going forward.
While Ox and Arteta started in the midfield role against Spurs and it was effective as well, but against the Blues it can go horribly wrong. The English youngster is definitely an effective tool, driving from the midfield, but he tends give away misplaced passes in the middle of the park which could leave the Gunners back line exposed to the danegorous trio of Hazard, Oscar and Schürrle. His partner Mikel Arteta doesn’t have the strength or pace to stop them. However, playing on the wings, Ox and Rosicky have the pace to drive forward and as well as can track back and help out the full backs.
Strikeforce:
Olivier Giroud is expected to lead the Gunners despite his increasing number of frustrated games in front of the goal.
