EPL 2016/17: Arsenal Vs Chelsea - Combined XI

London, Sep 24: English Premier League giants Arsenal FC take on city rivals Chelsea FC in a crucial game week 6 encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening (September 24).

The two arch-rivals lock horns for bragging rights tonight. While Arsenal have gained momentum after a shaky start to the season, Chelsea have failed to live up to expectations in the last couple of weeks.

The Gunners are currently placed in the fourth position with 10 points and are on the back of three consecutive wins in the Premier League.

The Blues on the other hand are on the back of poor defeat against title rivals Liverpool last week. They are just a place behind their opponents tonight with same points.

As the fans anxiously wait for this mouth-watering between the two giants of the league, we have made a combined XI taking players from the both the clubs.

Combined XI

Goalkeeper: Thobaut Courtois

The Chelsea custoadian had dethroned legendary goalkeeper and current Arsenal man Petr Cech at the Blues last season after arriving from Atletico Madrid.

The then club manager Jose Mourinho had made it clear that he would prefer the Belgian as the first choice club keeper over the long serving Petr Cech. Thus, the former Czech Republic custodian left the club to join Arsenal.

In our combined XI considering the current form of the two goalkeepers, we have opted for the Chelsea man. Cech have conceded quite a few sloppy goals this time and has kept just one clean sheet.

Defenders: Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta

It is even stevens in the backline as we have picked 2 players from each team. Hector Bellerin and Laurent Koscielny makes their way into the team and Chelsea players Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta accompany them.

Hector Bellerin is in a way better form than out of shape Branislav Ivanovic at the moment. Laurent Koscielny arguably the best defender in the Premier League in the last 6,7 years gets into the team automatically.

Gary Cahill, Chelsea's main defender in the absence of John Terry at the moment gets the nod ahead of newly joined Gunners defender Shkodran Mustafi.

Finally, Cesar Azpilicueta is out left-back. The Spaniard since last couple of seasons have done a incredible job in the left-back position and thus, gets selected ahead of Nacho Monreal.

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Santi Cazorla; Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Eden Hazard

N'Golo and Santi Cazorla are placed in the central midfield. Kante was the best defensive midfielder in the league last season and was one of the pillars of the champion Leicester City squad.

This season the French midfielder has joined the Blues and continued his good form. Cazorla, one of the most underrated players in Arsenal has been in great for so far.

We have selected Theo Walcott ahead of Willian in the right flank. After a long time the English player is displaying fine form and most importantly has remained injury free.

Mesut Ozil, without a doubt, fits into the number 10 position. Eden Hazard has been picked in the left flank who has finally got back his long lost form this season.

Striker: Alexis Sanchez

Arsene Wenger is utilising Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal's number 9 this season and it has done wonders for the team so far. The Chilean is scoring in almost every game for his side and thus, we pick him as our front man ahead of Chelsea's Diego Costa.

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