Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Complete Player-by-Player Comparison

This one is shaping up to be a fascinating encounter—Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal are hoping to lift the Premier League title for the first time in more than a decade, and this match sees them come up against the defending champions.

It’s easy to forget that Chelsea are still technically defending the title, so fast and so emphatic has their fall been. Their pride will have been hurt by their slide down the table, and they’ll be determined to lift spirits at the club by obtaining a positive result at the Emirates Stadium.

Much will come down to who is the better side on the day. In this piece, we take a position-by-position look at the two likely XIs, assessing the respective qualities of each player from the two sides. In order to help determine which side is stronger heading into the game, we’ve awarded a grade to every player involved in this London derby.

It’s worth noting that the grade is based on their current level of performance, so form is a huge factor. We also don’t factor in potential—it doesn’t matter if Hector Bellerin could eventually become a Grade A full-back, for example, this is about how good he is right now.

Join Bleacher Report as we run through the expected starting lineups ahead of this game and compare the players' attributes.

Goalkeeper

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Petr Cech vs. Thibault Courtois

Choosing between these two goalkeepers is something the Chelsea hierarchy have already had to do. Once they recalled Thibault Courtois from his loan spell with Atletico Madrid, Petr Cech was effectively relegated to second choice. That led to his discontent and ultimate departure from the club, with Arsenal the grateful beneficiaries.

Thus far, it seems as if Chelsea may have discarded Cech too soon. He’s been in outstanding form for the Gunners this season, helping to banish memories of the erratic Wojciech Szczesny with some dominant displays.

In the long run, Chelsea’s bet on Courtois may prove to have been well-founded. Perhaps he will go on to become a greater 'keeper than Cech ever has. However, right now, there is not a finer stopper in the Premier League than Arsenal’s veteran No. 33.

Grade for Petr Cech: A 

Grade for Thibault Courtois: A-

Defenders

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Hector Bellerin vs. Branislav Ivanovic 

A year or so ago, this would have been no contest. Ivanovic was the best right-back in the Premier League, bullying wingers out of games with his physical approach. Bellerin, meanwhile, was only making his first forays into the Arsenal first team.

However, since then there has been a dramatic turnaround. Ivanovic’s form has deserted him, while Bellerin has gone from strength to strength.

What’s been most impressive is the way his defensive game has improved. Since his mid-teens, he’s been effective attacking on the overlap. Now he is using his pace to protect his own goal as well as offer a threat to his opponents'.

Grade for Bellerin: B+

Grade for Ivanovic: B-

Per Mertesacker vs. Kurt Zouma

In a difficult season for Chelsea, the form of Kurt Zouma has been a rare bright spot. His power and presence have seen him force his way into the team ahead of Gary Cahill as John Terry’s preferred partner.

He is an awesome physical specimen, but his decision-making is impressive, too. At his very best, he is reminiscent of former Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly. He has a long way to go before scaling those heights, but it’s easy to see why the comparison is made.

In the long term, he could be a more complete defender than Per Mertesacker. However, for now the two are fairly evenly matched.

Grade for Mertesacker: B+

Grade for Zouma: B+

Laurent Koscielny vs. John Terry

John Terry has certainly been one of the greatest defenders of the Premier League era. However, perhaps it is time to acknowledge that, right now, few centre-halves can match Laurent Koscielny.

When the Frenchman arrived from Lorient, he was barely known in England. However, he’s now one of the finest centre-backs on the continent.

Of course, there’s an intangible quality to Terry that makes him an essential inclusion for Chelsea—he is a leader and organiser, something that we’re yet to see from Koscielny. Nevertheless, the Frenchman’s tenacity and technical attributes render him the superior player.

Grade for Koscielny: A

Grade for Terry: A-

Nacho Monreal vs. Cesar Azpilicueta

These Spanish full-backs are two of the most consistent players in the entire Premier League. Azpilicueta arrived at Chelsea with a glowing reputation as a right-back but has shown remarkable adaptability to adjust to life on the left flank.

Monreal, meanwhile, is arguably the finest left-back in the division. His recent long-term contract extension is just reward for a superb run of form. Across the calendar year of 2015, few Arsenal players were more reliable than the former Malaga man.

Monreal’s natural left-footedness enables him to offer a greater attacking threat than Azpilicueta, making him marginally more effective in the position.

Grade for Monreal: A-

Grade for Azpilicueta: B+

Defensive Midfielders

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Mathieu Flamini vs. Nemanja Matic

Ordinarily, Mathieu Flamini would not be in Arsene Wenger’s preferred XI. The Frenchman is only included at present because of an injury to countryman Francis Coquelin. Nevertheless, he’s acquitted himself surprisingly well during his recent run in the side. What Flamini lacks in technical ability, he makes up for in sheer commitment.

At one time, Arsenal were crying out for a player in the Nemanja Matic mould. However, the emergence of Coquelin has assuaged that need, and Matic’s own form has since dipped dramatically. Whereas once he was a monstrous juggernaut, now he seems to be simply juddering to a halt. Nevertheless, he’s still undoubtedly a superior option to Flamini.

Grade for Flamini: B-

Grade for Matic: B

Aaron Ramsey vs. John Obi Mikel

John Obi Mikel’s qualities have perhaps been a little underrated during his time with Chelsea. His clean distribution and reliable position sense make him an important defensive component for the Blues.

However, he cannot come close to matching the box-to-box influence of Aaron Ramsey. Since resuming his role as a central midfielder in the Gunners XI, the Welshman has been in irrepressible form. He combines tremendous work rate with a goal threat in a manner not dissimilar to former Chelsea great Frank Lampard.

Grade for Ramsey: A-

Grade for Mikel: B

Attacking Midfielders

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Joel Campbell vs. Willian

Joel Campbell has been one of the big surprises for Arsenal this season. The Costa Rican was barely expected to feature in the first team, but an injury crisis granted him an opportunity to stake his claim for a place. He has since seized it superbly, making himself a fixture on the right-hand side of the attacking midfield trio.

That said, he’s not yet demonstrated the ability to match the performances of Willian. In Chelsea’s nightmare campaign, Willian has been one consistent shining light. His goals—particularly from set pieces—have been as brilliant as they are essential.

Grade for Campbell: B

Grade for Willian: A-

Mesut Ozil vs. Cesc Fabregas

This comparison will be particularly satisfying for the Arsenal fans, who were largely devastated when Arsene Wenger opted against signing Cesc Fabregas in the summer of 2014, instead allowing him to join rivals Chelsea.

Fabregas initially began brightly but faded across the calendar year of 2015. Over the same period of time, Mesut Ozil began to acclimatise to English football. Now there is no doubt about which club has the superior playmaker.

While Fabregas has fallen well short of his own high standards this season, Ozil’s creative masterclasses have lit up the Premier League. The ingenious German is on course to be named the Footballer of the Year, while Fabregas continues to flail about in search of form.

Grade for Ozil: A

Grade for Fabregas: B-

Alexis Sanchez vs. Eden Hazard

The fitness of both these men is in some doubt, as they’ve only just recovered from injuries. However, neutrals will definitely hope they take to the field: These are two of the most entertaining players in the whole of Europe.

Their injuries make it difficult to make an assessment on their form. Eden Hazard was arguably the league’s most beguiling player last season but hasn’t looked nearly as comfortable or confident in 2015/16. However, he still has the ability to turn a game on its head with one impudent piece of skill.

Alexis Sanchez also has that mercurial quality. He is a wonderful soloist, able to slalom through defences at will. What’s more, unlike Hazard, his confidence seems unencumbered this season. For that reason, he grades marginally higher right now.

Grade for Alexis: A

Grade for Hazard: A-

Strikers

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Olivier Giroud vs. Diego Costa

Diego Costa's price tag has seen him discussed as one of Europe's finest strikers. However, his form this season suggests those declarations may have been a little premature. Although his form has begun to pick up, for much of the season he was as disruptive as he was dangerous.

Olivier Giroud, by contrast, is an excellent team player. What he lacks in pace, he makes up for with clever positioning and good hold-up play. Arsenal's style is dependent on having a centre-forward with the muscularity and technique to bring other more diminutive attackers into play.

At his best, Costa's aggression is his greatest strength. However, recently he has struggled to control that nasty streak. Giroud, however, seems to be gaining in mental strength. At present, the Frenchman is a more attractive proposition than the Spain international.

Grade for Giroud: A-

Grade for Costa: B+