Chelsea vs. Arsenal: How the Blues Should Line Up in Premier League Derby

Premier League leaders Chelsea will welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on Sunday for the final game before the international break. Arsenal fans would rather forget the last time the Gunners made the short trip across London, as the Blues recorded an emphatic 6-0 victory.

Changes in personnel over the summer mean that Chelsea will not start with the same XI as in that victory; they will arguably be even stronger.

Thibaut Courtois will continue in goal, with Gary Cahill and John Terry in front of him at centre-half. Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta should start at right-back and left-back, respectively, but they will need to be aware of the threat posed by Arsenal’s wingers.

Both full-backs have spent the majority of their playing time this season in the opposition half, but with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez using the width of the pitch, they will need to ensure they have cover before venturing too far forward.

Nemanja Matic has been a midfield machine in terms of recycling possession and has made 21 tackles in the league so far, per WhoScored.com. His role will be to shield the defence and release former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas to start an attack.

Fabregas has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season, having already registered six assists in as many Premier League games. Arsene Wenger had first refusal to sign him when he left Barcelona this summer but turned him down, much to the consternation of the supporters.

Speaking to El Pais (via Telegraph Sport and the Press Association), Fabregas said:

"

Don't think I didn't think about it [playing for Arsenal's rivals when I decided to join Chelsea]. I will keep the Gunner feeling forever and I know that I will return to Highbury [Emirates Stadium] and [it] will be a special moment, but I am a committed guy. I know that when I play against Arsenal I will know who is my [current] team, who are my colleagues and who I defend. And I know that the Arsenal fans will understand me, I have no doubt.

If you'd told me five years ago that I would play for Chelsea and [Jose] Mourinho I would not have believed you, but life changes… I spoke with my agent and asked him to find me a new team, and an offer from Chelsea arrived. I spoke with Mourinho and he told me the things I needed to hear. I felt valued. I felt I was going to be important in an important project.

"

Jose Mourinho described Fabregas as a dream for strikers to play in front of, per Chelsea's official website (via ESPN.co.uk), and there is no doubt that the Spanish international will start on Sunday.

"

Jose: 'Cesc is a Chelsea player and he's been phenomenal for us in every game, no exception. I couldn't be happier.' #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) October 3, 2014"

Eden Hazard will likely start on the left of the attacking trio, with Oscar in the No. 10 role. The Brazilian scored twice in the 6-0 rout in March and will be looking to continue his current run of good form ahead of the international break.

Willian’s attention to the defensive side of his game should give him the edge over Andre Schurrle to complete the trio on the right. Schurrle will then be available as an impact substitute if the game is going in favour of the Gunners late on.

Any hopes that Arsenal may have had that Diego Costa would be unavailable have been dashed by the striker himself. Despite playing the full 90 minutes of the Blues’ Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, Costa told the press, per Martin Lipton of the Daily Mirror: “Of course I will play against Arsenal. I am certain. I played 90 minutes [in Lisbon] and now I can have a rest. I do not see a problem.”

The striker is still the top scorer in the Premier League with eight goals in six appearances, and it would be foolish to bet against him adding to his account in his first London derby.

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Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain told Sky Sports' Lewis Rutledge this week that the Gunners will be out to avenge the humiliating defeat of last season. However, their growing injury list and inconsistent performances make it likely that the Blues will continue their unbeaten run on Sunday.

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