Strongest Chelsea Line-up To Play Against Arsenal – Mazacar To Start?

Monday’s late night kickoff between Arsenal and Chelsea certainly tops the list of the match of the Gameweek 17 with Arsene Wenger labelling the clash as a potential six pointer en route to decide the champions of the current Premier League campaign. The Gunners come into the feisty encounter  without a win in their last three games but they can consolidate their position at the top and shut their critics with a win over their London rivals.

Chelsea however enjoy an unique record against the Gunners, as the Blues have never been beaten by their rivals when Jose Mouinho has been in charge of the Stamford Bridge side. Going by stats, Chelsea have won five and drawn four against Arsenal under the self proclaimed ‘Special One’. The Stamford Bridge side however comes into the game at the back of a humiliating 1-2 reversal at the hands of relegation battlers Sunderland in midweek in the quarters of the capital One Cup, throwing questions over Mourinho’s tactics and best possible eleven. The Gunners too will be looking to bounce back from their own misery, a humiliating 3-6 scoreline endured by a Manchester City side, who can do no wrong currently.

As the battle between two of the Premier League Giants finally kicks off on Monday, we here at Soccersouls decided to pacify the Chelsea fans with what we reckon their strongest line up would be against the Premier League pace setters.

Click on the next page to check out Chelsea’s possible starting XI that Mourinho will deploy against Arsenal:

Goalkeeper:

Petr Cech is expected to man the Chelsea goal at the Emirates on Monday but will be under scrutiny against an Arsenal squad who can score at will when they play their best passing game. Chelsea this season have not been technically sound and are ill prone to concede goals every match, something which will keep Mourinho bothered and will be hoping to avoid against the Gunners.

Defence:

As major tabloids proclaim, Mourinho has dropped Ashley Cole after he was photographed at Arsenal’s Christmas party just days before they play their London rivals, telling the left-back that he will not act as a father figure. This means Cesar Azpilicueta will fill the left back slot as Ivanovic fills in on the other side. John Terry and Gary Cahill however as expected to take their presence in the heart of the defence.

Midfield:

Frank Lampard and probably Ramires will play in the double pivot of Mourinho’s 4-2-3-1 as the away side will look to the triumvirate of Hazrad, Mata and Oscar to keep a makeshift Arsenal defence on their toes. If Chelsea are to get anything from the match, they must look for the Mazacar trio to play in between Arsenal’s channels and provide the through balls for the lone striker up front. Defensively Ramires has to have a great game while Lampard will be expected to play from deep and make his trademark runs forward.

Strike Force:

Fernando Torres is expected to lead the front line as the Spaniard admitted to his struggles in a Chelsea shirt, “I am happy with the team and my contribution to it around work. But I should have scored more goals and I have to look at myself. Everyone has to look at themselves” and would be looking to score against the Gunners.