Possible Arsenal line-up v Chelsea: Walcott key for Gunners?
Having failed to win a game since December 4 against Hull City, Arsenal need to make a statement on Monday in order to stem their downturn at a crucial time of the season.
That won’t be easy however, considering the Gunners have failed to defeat their opponents, Chelsea, at home since December 2010, and Arsene Wenger has never taken charge of a team that has beaten a Jose Mourinho side.
Theo Walcott is the only remaining goal-scorer from their last home victory over the Blues three years ago and, appropriately, he could be key to their success this time around.
talkSPORT looks at how the Gunners could line-up…
Big hitters back?
Arsene Wenger left Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla on the bench last week against Manchester City, and considering that game didn’t exactly work out well for the Gunners, expect the pair to return against the Blues. With Jack Wilshere likely to be out through suspension, Arteta could partner Mathieu Flamini in midfield, while Cazorla should help them to keep the ball against a Chelsea side that are dangerous on the counter-attack.
Walcott to speed down the right?
Jose Mourinho has been playing Cesar Azpilicueta out of position at left-back recently, and the already attacking full-back looks even less comfortable when defending on his wrong side. An obvious avenue of attack for the Gunners would be fielding Theo Walcott in their right wide position and asking him to attack Azpilicueta as often as possible. With two goals in his last game against Manchester City, and having already scored in an Arsenal home win against the Blues, he should be confident. Controversially, that may mean sacrificing Aaron Ramsey in the starting line-up, but the Welshman could probably use a rest, and could still be used from the bench should he be required.
Gooners, how do you think Arsenal will line-up against the Blues? Let us know below...