Strongest Chelsea’s Starting XI To Face Arsenal This Weekend – Fabregas Out?

After facing quite a rough patch for a couple of games, the Blues of London came back to the  winning ways as they completely outnumbered the reigning Premier League champions, Leicester City. The Stamford Bridge outfit was scheduled to have a go with the Foxes in the third round of the EFL Cup and the hosts (Leicester) found themselves two goals ahead at the break.

Conte’s men responded within five minutes of the second half and found themselves right back into the game. Then the two goals from the former Arsenal skipper, Cesc Fabregas, sealed the deal and the side marched on to the next round of the competition. The next opponent (in EFL Cup) will be their London rivals West Ham United, but before that, a much bigger test is waiting for the side this weekend.

Antonio Conte will be travelling to the Emirates stadium to face the Gunners this Sunday, and will be hoping to get at least a point from the fixture. Well, the last time the Blues travelled to Emirates, they managed to grab the point as they won the fixture by 0-1, but the tables have turned this time around.

So here is the predicted lineup for the Blues that could face Arsenal:

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois-

The Belgian shot-stopper was rested in the last fixture for the Blues and that clearly means that he is going to be named in the line-up. The 24-year-old has been struggling a bit to retain a top form, but he get to it eventually and the games like these will surely help his cause.

Defence: Ivanovic; Cahill; Luiz; Azpilicueta-

The manager might return to his old school defending and we might see the Serbian professional, Branislav Ivanovic, in the lineup. many might argue over the role of Marcos Alonso in the line-up, but we personally believe that the manager might use the experience of the Serbian over the newly recruit Alonso.

Terry maybe getting better and will be hoping to mark his return in the fixture, but the manager will surely rest him to get the better out of him for the next games. In that case, the same centre back pairing of Cahill and Luiz might start the game for the Blues.

The Spaniard, Azpilicueta, will be shifting back to the left spot this time around. Azpilicueta, who scored the equalizer against the Foxes, has been a real pain for the opposition and he will be hoping to continue his trend.

Defensive midfielder: N’Golo Kante:

The French was dropped against his former club last time out and will surely be guarding the back four in the next fixture. His major task will be; shutting down the attacks and for that, he will have to be on his toes. He surely is known for his no-nonsense defending, but the players like Ozil and Alexis know how to cut the comedy for the players like Kante.

Attacking midfielders: Willian; Oscar; Matic; Hazard-

All these four names will have to work with their skins out. Willian, who was praised for his prolific form last season, has not been performing to the same level this time around. He will have to pull his socks up this time around and will have to prove his worth.

Oscar, on the other hand, has been a regular started for the side and his presence in the squad has been an important one so far. The Brazilian, who was a bitter disappointment last season, could well play a major role in the London derby.

Furthermore, had an average game against Leicester, but we personally believe that he could well be the one for Chelsea. Arsenal are known to play a swift game and that involves a combination of tidy footwork and pace. Fabregas can surely deal with the tackles, but he solely lacks the pace and physical aspect of the game, taking in context to Matic.

Then the left side will be occupied by Eden Hazard for sure. The manager rested the Belgian in the last game, hence, he is a sure starter.

Striker: Diego Costa-

The former Atletico Madrid star shares a great history with Arsenal – remember the red card to Gabriel? Well, he does have a point to prove that he is not just about the dirty work. He will surely be facing some nasty boo’s in the game, but he needs to hold his head high.