COMBINED XI: Chelsea vs Arsenal

Chelsea FC vs Arsenal FC: Combinded XI

SillySeason put together their combined XI for the London rivals. This weekend’s stand-out game comes from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host London rivals Arsenal on Saturday and SillySeason have put together their combined XI.

The duo get the Premier League weekend underway when they kick-off at 12:45 on Saturday and after mixed fortunes in the Champions League and in the league, it could be an interesting encounter.

Arsenal have had an okay start to the league, gaining 10 points in five games, but they suffered defeat last night to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

As for Chelsea, they’ve been poor in the league, winning just four points, but they did get a confidence boosting victory last night as they hit four past Maccabi Tel Aviv.

But what would the team look like if they were to combine?

SillySeason names their XI.

NOTE: This selection is assuming everybody is fit and available to play.

Goalkeeper – Thibaut Courtois – Chelsea

Speaking in the present, Thibaut Courtois is the better goalkeeper and that’s why he makes our team.

The Belgium kept Petr Cech out of the Chelsea XI and that is why the veteran is now playing for Arsenal.

Both incredible ‘keepers, but considering Courtois was the man to replace Cech at Stamford Bridge, you’ve got to give him the number-one jersey.

Obviously if we were to just a combined XI for Saturday, Cech would make the team due to Courtois’ injury.

Right-Back – Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea

We could have put this guy at left-back, where he’s been playing recently for Chelsea, but instead we’ve given him his natural role at right-back.

Azpilicueta has been crucial for Jose Mourinho and is probably one of the first-names on his team-sheet on a regular basis.

Naturally he’s a right-back and he just gets ahead of Hector Bellerin into the team.

Last season it would have been Branislav Ivanovic in this spot with Azpilicueta on the left, but the Serbian has been woeful so far this season and doesn’t deserve a spot in the team.

Centre-Back – Laurent Koscielny – Arsenal

Easily one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

He’s got the pace, he’s got the strength and his ability to read the game makes him the perfect centre-back and that’s why he makes our team.

Koscielny has developed so much at the Emirates Stadium and he is now vital for Arsene Wenger. It’s no surprise that when he’s absent, Arsenal don’t look as good or as safe at the back.

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Centre-Back – John Terry – Chelsea

Jose Mourinho may have lost the faith in the veteran, but we haven’t.

Last season only one defender was better than Laurent Koscielny, and it was this guy, John Terry.

Yes he’s had a poor start to the new campaign but he’s still one of the best defenders in England and that’s why he makes our starting XI.

His reading of the game is second to none and it automatically makes you forget about the lack of pace in the legs.

Left-Back – Nacho Monreal – Arsenal

This option may raise eyebrows but by selection it’s the clear choice.

Nacho Monreal is Arsenal‘s starting left-back now over Kieran Gibbs, and Chelsea simply don’t have a recognised left-back apart from new signing Baba Rahman.

Like we mentioned earlier, we could have put Cesar Azpilicueta here and maybe Ivanovic or Bellerin at right-back, but what is the point when you can put players in their preferred position.

Monreal was superb last season for the Gunners and just like Koscielny, his development and improvement has been vital for Arsenal.

Centre-Midfield – Nemanja Matic – Chelsea

Surprisingly it was very close between Nemanja Matic and Francis Coquelin, but we had to give it to the Serb.

Coquelin has been brilliant for Arsenal since returning from loan, but Matic was vital to Chelsea’s title-win last year and his overall influence in the centre of the park is vital.

Not only is he a tough tackler, he’s also a brilliant passer and as shown against Everton, he can certainly strike a ball.

He’s the type of player every club needs if they want to be successful.

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Centre-Midfield – Santi Cazorla – Arsenal

This one was between two Spaniards. Santi Cazorla or Cesc Fabregas.

Simply it went down to who is better in this position and we think it’s Cazorla.

The little magician is so influential for Arsenal and he’s adapted to the new position brilliantly sitting just alongside Coquelin in the heart of the midfield.

Fabregas is a bit more attack-minded and thrives playing off the striker and that’s not what he’s doing at Chelsea right now so this position is best filled by Cazorla.

Right-Midfield – Eden Hazard – Chelsea

Obviously.

He may have had a poor start to this campaign but last year Eden Hazard was Mr Consistent for Chelsea and it’s only a matter of time before he starts turning it on again for the Blues.

On his day he’s simply unplayable and that’s why he has to make our team.

Player of the Year last season and surely we will see that form from him once again sooner rather than later.

Centre-Attacking Mid – Mesut Ozil – Arsenal

We don’t care what people say. This guy is not a flop and nor is he invisible.

He may not be 100% in the big matches, but when you actually sit and watch him play football, it’s breathtaking.

He sees passes no-one else does and has certain ways of pulling it off. He really is a gem to watch and it’s shocking that some football fans jut cannot see it.

Mesut Ozil gets in our team.

Left-Midfield – Alexis Sanchez – Arsenal

Of course he was going to make it.

Luckily for us we don’t have to choose Hazard or Alexis, we can have both.

Simply stunning debut season and just like Hazard, we are confident Arsenal fans will see the best of him sooner rather than later.

He might be a bit fatigued after a hectic schedule, but it’s only a matter of time before the Chilean starts dazzling again.

Striker – Diego Costa – Chelsea

Chelsea can find themselves lucky that Arsenal don’t really have a great striker.

We aren’t totally convinced by Diego Costa, but he’s the best of the bunch when you consider it’s either Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott from Arsenal.

Costa‘s injury record and temper is a concern but you can’t knock his finishing ability and because of that, he leads our line ahead of the Arsenal duo.

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¹⁾ To win, or money back as a free bet if you lose

So there you have it. What a starting XI eh?!

What would yours be?

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt