After the shocking way Arsenal were hammered at Stamford Bridge last season, today’s Premier League clash with Chelsea is a good chance to see if Arsene Wenger and the Gunners have learned their lessons – and whether we will have any more joy against the big clubs this season.
But the Frenchman’s starting selection is hampered by injuries, so he is unable to call on the likes of Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud, but the biggest loss is surely our Welsh midfield star Aaron Ramsey. That is probably the reason why Wenger left Jack Wilshere out of his team for the Galatasaray game, as the Englishman comes back in with fresh legs today.
That means that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drops to the bench while Santi Cazorla keeps his place. There is some good news for Arsenal in the return of our Spanish left back Nacho Monreal from his back injury, so we have some cover in the centre of defence as well.
Szczesny
Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Flamini, Wilshere
Alexis, Ozil, Cazorla
Welbeck
subs: Martinez, Monreal, Coquelin, Chamberlain, Rosicky, Campbell, Podolski
Chelsea make just one change from midweek at left back, so they have a very strong line-up with Costa, Fabregas, Hazard, Schurrle, Oscar and Matic. This is going to be tough, Gooners, and the Arsenal players need to be at it for 90 minutes, but the talent is there. COYG!!