THE TWO SIDES MEET AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM ON SUNDAY
Goalkeeper – Petr Cech (Arsenal)
An ironic choice really, as Chelsea let Petr Cech leave in order to join their London rivals and he has been an excellent, much-needed addition to the Gunners’ squad.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that Cech would save the club points in matches when they weren’t playing at their best – matches that they probably would have lost in previous seasons.
And he has done exactly that, pulling off world-class saves in narrow games where the Gunners have either come away with all three points, or they have nicked a draw.
If Arsenal do win the title this campaign, then the Czech Republic international will have played a major role in their success.
Right-back – Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
The young full-back has been a revelation this term and such form has guided him in making the right-back berth his own; putting Mathieu Debuchy’s Arsenal future in doubt.
The Spaniard’s pace and energy can see him get up and down the pitch in quick-time and he has matured defensively, making him the ideal player for this position.
His offensive talents are there for all to see, creating chances for his attacking teammates with his overlapping runs.
Centre backs – Laurent Koscielny and John Terry (Arsenal and Chelsea)
We know they aren’t the youngest centre-half pairing you’ll ever see, but we picked these two because they have bags Premier League experience between them.
Both Koscielny and Terry have captained their teams several times and they have both won major trophies with their respective clubs, making this partnership a no brainer.
Also, with the amount of assists that will come from the set piece specialists in this team, we believe these two would thrive and be a real goal threat from corners and free-kicks.
Based on said attributes, it must be said that Per Mertesacker was really unlucky not to make it into this combined eleven.
Left-back – Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
Monreal has been selected as he would provide a solid balance to this back four.
For example, he isn’t the most mobile of full-backs, so if he stays back it allows Bellerin the freedom to bomb forward and support his winger.
The Spaniard has been Mr. Consistent for Arsenal and, although he doesn’t do the most spectacular things, he is a 7/10 player week in week out.
His performances and constant good form means that his recent long-term contract, that will keep him at the North London club until at least 2019, is fully deserved.
Central midfielders – Aaron Ramsey and Nemanja Matic (Arsenal and Cheslea)
Again, we have look to keep a good balance in the team by partnering up these two rivals.
Matic will anchor the midfield and protect his two centre-backs by breaking up opposition play and using his vision to start counter attacks in transition, just like he did for Chelsea when they won the league last season.
Ramsey will thrive off this because he knows Matic will cover him, giving the Welsh international the freedom to join in attacks and arrive late into the box late to put up any loose balls, score off cut-backs or even make runs past the lone striker.
Right-wing – Willian (Chelsea)
In what has been a disappointing and lack-lustre season from Chelsea’s talented bunch of attacking players, Willian has been the silver lining.
The Brazilian has weighed in with goals and is a major threat from direct free-kicks, which is always a good trait to bring to a team.
He isn’t shy of hard-work either, he will put in a defensive shift by tracking his man and protecting his full-back, as well as being dangerous in the opposition’s final third.
Number 10 – Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Speaking of being dangerous in the opposition’s final third, Ozil is the last man you want to give space around your 18 yard box – especially with quality players running past him.
The German international has certainly showed his capabilities this season, his vision, his ability to pick up space and his passing range are second to none.
He is also top of the Premier League assists pile with 16 set-ups, he needs just five more to break Thierry Henry’s record of 20 in a season.
Such statistics mean that Ozil’s inclusion in this team was in no doubt.
Left-wing – Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Sanchez has everything, pace, power, energy, work-rate, an eye for goal and he also chips in with his fair share of assists.
Fair enough, he has missed quite a chunk of games through injury and fatigue this campaign, but on his day he is one of the most influential players in this division.
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard could have contested Sanchez for this position, but he is enduring his worst run of form since moving to the Blues and his future in West London is up in smoke.
Centre-forward – Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
Giroud gets a lot of unfair stick from a minority of Arsenal fans in our opinion, they suggest he isn’t good enough for Arsenal or doesn’t offer enough for the team.
However, his goalscoring record since move to the Gunners suggests otherwise – he is just short of a league goal in every two matches, which is pretty impressive.
The Frenchman is also currently the fifth top goalscorer in England’s top flight with 12 goals, just three behind first placed Jamie Vardy of Leicester City, who has 15 goals.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa was also considered for the lone striker role in our combined eleven, as his form has considerably improved since the arrival of Guus Hiddink as interim boss.
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