One-sided combined XI ahead of weekend clash.
With Chelsea hosting Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this weekend, CaughtOffside takes a look at how a combined XI of the two sides might look.
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The answer, however, is that it looks mostly like Chelsea’s current starting XI, with only a few minor changes. Click on to see which three Arsenal players make the cut after a highly unconvincing start to the season in comparison to the table-topping Blues.
GK) Thibaut Courtois
An easy choice in goal, with Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois arguably one of the best in the world in this position at the moment, and certainly way ahead of the inconsistent Arsenal number one Wojciech Szczesny.
DR) Branislav Ivanovic
One of the finest right-backs in the game at the moment, Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic has a bit of everything and is certainly a more accomplished player than Arsenal’s Mathieu Debuchy.
DL) Kieran Gibbs
A close call, but the vastly under-rated Kieran Gibbs is certainly worthy of a spot at left-back here after his fine recent form, with Chelsea’s first choice on the left-hand side currently uncertain, despite Cesar Azpilicueta filling in well there out of position.
DC) John Terry
Still one of the finest centre-backs in Europe, Chelsea captain John Terry remains a shoe-in for this combined XI, especially given Arsenal’s options at the back.
DC) Gary Cahill
The other half of Chelsea’s superb central defensive pairing, Gary Cahill is on top form at the moment and is comfortably in this combined XI ahead of Arsenal’s defenders.
MC) Nemanja Matic
A player who seems to get better and better for Chelsea, Nemanja Matic has been an excellent signing since he re-joined the Blues in January, looking like the complete defensive midfield player.
MC) Cesc Fabregas
Painfully for Arsenal fans, their former skipper Cesc Fabregas is now a Chelsea player and looks back to his best in the Premier League after an underwhelming spell back at Barcelona. He gets into our combined XI, even if Arsene Wenger felt it wasn’t worth re-signing him this summer.
AMR) Alexis Sanchez
Finally another Arsenal player, Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez is well worthy of a place in this team after his superb start to life in north London, with some memorable goals to his name already and all-round quality play giving the Gunners an extra dimension upfront.
AML) Eden Hazard
Despite a slow start to this season, there’s no doubt that Chelsea winger Eden Hazard is one of the best players in the Premier League and deserving of a spot on the left-hand side of this attacking midfield trio.
AMC) Mesut Ozil
A controversial choice, but one that Jose Mourinho would probably agree with after he called the former Real Madrid man the best number 10 in the world. Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil is just picking up form and at his best he is an upgrade on Chelsea’s Oscar.
FC) Diego Costa
An easy choice upfront, Chelsea striker Diego Costa completes the lineup, getting in comfortably ahead of the likes of Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud, as well as his own team-mates Loic Remy and Didier Drogba.
Arsenal & Chelsea combined XI in full: