Arsenal expected 4-2-3-1 v Chelsea: Attacking duo axed among four changes
By Matt Farr
Arsene Wenger is expected to make as many as four changes to his Arsenal side to face Chelsea in a tie that could end their Premier League title hopes.
The Gunners are expected to dispense with Gabriel Paulista, Alex Iwobi, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud, following the shock defeat to Watford on Tuesday.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is certain to replace the injured Ramsey in central midfield, with Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott set to return in the three remaining changes.
Petr Cech, Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny, Francis Coquelin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are likely to be the seven survivors from the Watford defeat.
Wenger simply cannot afford to put out anything other than his strongest side to face Chelsea. The Watford nightmare left them nine points behind the league leaders in the title race, and defeat could all but end their title hopes.
Therefore, Bellerin should be reinstated to the starting line-up in place of Gabriel at right-back. His return would see Arsenal refer to their preferred defensive quartet, one that has served them well over the course of the season.
The central-midfield area is the biggest issue for Wenger, with Ramsey joining a long list of injury absentees. Mohamed Elneny and Santi Cazorla are already sidelined, and with Granit Xhaka suspended, Wenger is short of options.
Therefore, Oxlade-Chamberlain may be forced to take up arms in the heart of the midfield alongside Coquelin. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is the only other option, but his inexperience could hinder him against a side of Chelsea’s quality.
Despite finding the back of the net against Watford, Iwobi should drop to the bench to allow Welbeck to come into the side on the left of an attacking-midfield trio.
The 26-year-old burst back onto the scene following a lengthy-injury absence, netting twice in a 5-0 FA Cup rout over Southampton at the end of last month.
His England international team-mate Walcott was also in scintillating form that night, and is expected to replace Giroud to give Arsenal added pace to test Chelsea.
Giroud’s absence also allows Sanchez to return to the centre-forward role that he has found so rewarding this season. The Chile international has netted 17 goals from 30 appearances this season, but has failed to replicate that form since being pushed out wide to accommodate Giroud.
Mesut Ozil simply cannot be left out either, and will take up his normal role as Arsenal’s No.10.
The Gunners can keep the title race alive with a win, reducing Chelsea’s lead at the top to six points.
In other Arsenal team news, Paul Merson has given his prediction for the tie.
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