Gunners facing an uphill struggle

Having both played mid-week in the Champions League it seems that London clubs Chelsea and Arsenal will square off in rather similar premises on Sunday. The hosts Chelsea played in Portugal on Tuesday, beating Sporting Lisbon by very Mourinho-like result of 0-1, while Arsenal thumped their Turkish visitors Galatasaray 4-1 on Wednesday night. By securing an early three-goal lead Arsenal bagged up the match effortlessly and likely caught up any advantage Chelsea might have had by resting an extra day.

Chelsea has been impressive this season in the EPL, leading the pack with 16 points in six matches only giving up points to holders Manchester City. Arsenal on the other hand is yet to lose a match, but is boasting a record of two wins and four draws. Injuries to midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mikael Arteta will pave way for Jack Wilshere to return to the starting lineup after coming in as a substitute mid-week. Newly acquired striker Danny Welbeck bagged a hat-trick against the Turks and will carry the goal scoring boots against Chelsea as well. Alas, the opposition is much stronger than Galatasaray so don’t expect another hatful. Alexis Sanchez picked up a knock at the mid-week fixture, but should be fit to start on Sunday.

The home team has no remarkable injury concerns, with only Didier Drogba and Ramires out of contest. Chelsea squad is deep enough to cover all but catastrophic injury woes and Mourinho has an embarrassment of riches to choose his starting XI from.

Predicted starting XI:
Chelsea: Courtois; Azplicueta, Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic; Fabregas, Willian, Matic, Oscar, Hazard; Costa
Arsenal: Szczesny; Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Chambers; Flamini, Özil, Wilshere; Sanchez, Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain



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