Arsenal fans will be hoping for a repeat performance and result from the FA cup final back in May when the Gunners played a blinder to beat Chelsea and become the most successful side in the history of the competition. Today’s pre-season game against Antonio Conte’s side is not quite as important as that Wembley final, of course, but as it pits us against the reigning Premier League champions it is still one that we want to win.
Arsene Wenger has picked a fairly strong XI to start the game as well, with Per Mertesacker back at the centre of a back three after he missed the win over Bayern Munich the other day due to illness and he will have Monreal on the left of him with young Maitland-Niles on the right.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will reprise his role of wing back in which he impressed towards the end of last season and the boss has gone for a more adventurous central pairing of Ramsey and Xhaka with young Cohen Bramall on the left. Alex Iwobi has been rewarded for his impact and goal off the bench against Bayern with a start and we get to see the burgeoning relationship between playmaker Mesut Ozil and new striker Lacazette.
Ospina
Maitland-Niles, Mertesacker, Monreal
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Xhaka, Bramall
Ozil, Iwobi, Lacazette
This is the first pre-season game for Chelsea so let’s hope Arsenal make it a miserable start for them.
Bob.