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Premier League | Gameweek 23
Jan 19, 2019 at 5.30pm UK
 
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2-0

Lacazette (14'), Koscielny (39')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Combined XI: Arsenal vs. Chelsea

Ahead of Saturday's Premier League showdown between Arsenal and Chelsea, Sports Mole selects its strongest combined XI from both squads.

Two teams intent on finishing in the top four go head to head on Saturday when Arsenal welcome London rivals Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium.

Six points currently separate the two sides in the Premier League table, with Chelsea sitting fourth and Arsenal languishing on the other side of the all-important dotted line.

The result of this weekend's showdown could have a huge bearing on which side will be playing in Europe's top-tier competition next season, and for Arsenal in particular it is approaching must-win territory.

Here, Sports Mole selects its strongest combined XI using only the players available for Saturday's match.



Combined XI: ARS vs. CHE

Chelsea dominate this XI with nine representatives to Arsenal's two, including the entire back five - starting with Kepa Arrizabalaga's selection ahead of Bernd Leno and Petr Cech in goal.

Arsenal's defensive injury woes are beginning to ease, but they continue to look shaky at the back and have conceded almost double the number of goals Chelsea have this term. The likes of Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos are all capable players, but judging by form this season it is a fairly easy choice for David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger to fill in at centre-back.

It is a similar story on the flanks, where Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta remain some way clear of their Arsenal counterparts Sead Kolasinac, Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin.

While it is a predominantly Chelsea XI, we are not choosing the 'Sarri-ball' 4-3-3 formation, but rather a 4-2-3-1 with pass-master Jorginho and the irrepressible N'Golo Kante acting as the holding midfielders. Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira certainly deserve a mention having been some of Arsenal's better performers this season, but both Jorginho and Kante are among the best at what they do in the entire league.

Speaking of the best in the league, Eden Hazard has been hailed by many as the Premier League's most talented player, and while he has been playing as a false nine in recent weeks, in this team he slots in at number 10 and would have something of a free role.

Willian joins him in that trio behind the strikers, with Pedro, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi among the players to miss out. On talent alone Mesut Ozil would make this XI, but he has fallen out of favour with Unai Emery and if he cannot even make the Arsenal team then he is not in serious contention for this one either.

There are finally a couple of Arsenal representatives up front, though. Whereas Chelsea are unhappy with their striker choices, Arsenal have two of the highest quality.

Alexandre Lacazette has been in and out of the team of late but remains a sharp marksman in the penalty area, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's scoring record since joining the Gunners a year ago is up there with the best.

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Mesut Ozil in action for Arsenal on November 3, 2018
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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