A player-by-player comparison of Arsenal and Chelsea’s best XIs.
With Arsenal tipped to be more serious title challengers this season, here’s a look at how their best lineup matches Chelsea’s…
GK: Petr Cech vs Thibaut Courtois
The new Arsenal goalkeeper is a great signing, but Petr Cech is unfortunately still behind Thibaut Courtois in this battle, as he was in his final season at Chelsea.
Vote: Courtois
DR: Hector Bellerin vs Branislav Ivanovic
One is a superb young player with a bright future, but one is currently one of the best right-backs in the world and a serial winner for the Blues.
Vote: Ivanovic
DL: Nacho Monreal vs Cesar Azpilicueta
Two solid Spanish left-backs, but there’s no doubt it’s the Chelsea man who once again wins this battle, having shown himself to be rock solid at the back.
Vote: Azpilicueta
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DC: Per Mertesacker vs John Terry
No contest here, however much Arsenal fans may love Per Mertesacker, Chelsea captain John Terry remains one of the very best in the world.
Vote: Terry
DC: Laurent Koscielny vs Gary Cahill
A close call here, but Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny is arguably more consistent than Chelsea’s Gary Cahill, who is a fine player but with the occasional glaring error in him.
Vote: Koscielny
MC: Francis Coquelin vs Nemanja Matic
Despite the brilliant rise of Francis Coquelin for Arsenal last season, Nemanja Matic has been simply world class for Chelsea and is a great all-rounder.
Vote: Matic
MC: Aaron Ramsey vs Cesc Fabregas
Another close call, but it could be argued that Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey is set for a better season than his old team-mate, who looked tired and ineffective towards the end of 2014/15.
Vote: Ramsey
AMR: Alexis Sanchez vs Willian
No contest here, with the Arsenal winger a far more exciting and dangerous player out wide than the hard-working and solid Willian.
Vote: Sanchez
AML: Santi Cazorla vs Eden Hazard
Two very different players, but there’s no doubt Chelsea’s Eden Hazard was one of the best in Europe last season and deserving of a place here.
Vote: Hazard
AMC: Mesut Ozil vs Oscar
Two awesome number ten players, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil perhaps just edges Chelsea’s Oscar in this battle after a superb end to last season and a very promising pre-season.
Vote: Ozil
FC: Olivier Giroud vs Diego Costa
An easy choice here, with Chelsea striker Diego Costa miles ahead of his Arsenal counterpart, who probably needs replacing with a truly world class centre-forward this summer.
Vote: Costa
