Chelsea could take another huge step towards securing a top-four finish this season, as they travel to the Emirates to take on an Arsenal side suffering both on and off the pitch.
Unai Emery’s side have won just two of their last six Premier League games, whilst the fulcrum of Arsenal’s attacking set up, Mesut Ozil, is out of favour and Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey has signed a pre-contract agreement with Italian champions Juventus.
Maurizio Sarri, meanwhile, has been busy reshuffling the ranks, selling two-time Premier League champion and former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to Monaco, whilst bringing in young American prospect Christian Pulisic form Borussia Dortmund for £57 million – although he will arrive at the club in the summer.
Most recently, Sarri has looked to reinvigorate his misfiring forward line, with the imminent arrival of Gonzalo Higuain on an initial six-month loan deal with an option to buy. The Argentinian forward has worked under the tutelage of Sarri before at Napoli, netting a record high 36 goals in the 2015-16 season, and his arrival should pave the way for Alvaro Morata to move back to Madrid, this time with Atletico following a miserable stint in West London.
A win for Chelsea would see them expand their lead over Arsenal to nine points, all but ruling the Gunners out of contention for the coveted top four positions.
Here’s the XI I think Sarri will pick for the game.
