Picking a Combined Chelsea and Arsenal XI
Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday to complete a significant week in the Premier League title race after the Blues' clash with Liverpool.
Come the final whistle, we'll have a better idea of where the Premier League trophy is heading in May.
It's set to be as intriguing as it is exciting, with Arsenal desperate to bounce back from defeat to Watford and Chelsea keen to assert their authority.
If that's the reality, we're dabbling in some fantasy football ahead of kick-off by picking a combined Chelsea-Arsenal XI from the players we can expect to see on show in west London.
So of the two teams, which has the better players to be dominant? Do Arsenal have anyone who could strengthen Antonio Conte's side? And as for Chelsea, vice versa when we consider Arsene Wenger's XI?
Given the success of Chelsea's 3-4-3 system, we've opted for that as our formation of choice.
Let's find out who makes the team, which is based mostly on current form.
Goalkeeper
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Petr Cech
In truth, had we gone for Thibaut Courtois as the goalkeeper here, it wouldn't have made much difference. Barely a cigarette paper can separate the Chelsea stopper and former Blues team-mate Petr Cech.
They're supremely talented goalkeepers who both sit comfortably in the world's top five for their position.
Courtois has rediscovered his best form for Chelsea this term, while Cech has been a big influence for Arsenal. He's added some defensive mettle to the back line since he joined the club in 2015, and the Gunners rearguard looks more assured with him on the scene.
Cech has edged it in our thinking here based on last season. We accept we have to judge players on the here and now, but with Cech still performing to a high level, we needed a reason to separate them.
Courtois suffered last term, looking a shadow of the goalkeeper whose performances forced Cech out of Chelsea. His loss of form was alarming and showed a fragility that Cech hasn't throughout his illustrious career.
Defenders
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Shkodran Mustafi
It says much for Shkodran Mustafi's impact at Arsenal that he's edged out Cesar Azpilicueta on the right side of our three-man defence. He's looked imperious since joining Arsenal last summer from Valencia.
Like Azpilicueta, he's strong in possession and reads the game well. He is composed, rarely dives into tackles and has formed a strong partnership with Laurent Koscielny.
Where he edges Azpilicueta is his aerial ability. The Spaniard is naturally a right-back, so judging him on aerial dominance is perhaps unfair, but as reliable as he is, we've seen that weakness in his game exposed more recently.
David Luiz
From playground legend to one of the Premier League's most respected defenders, David Luiz's return to Chelsea this season has seen him a player reborn. He's rebranded himself in the libero role, playing at the heart of Chelsea's three-man back line.
With defenders either side of him, Luiz isn't having to defend as much. Instead, he's able to play the game more and get Chelsea moving from the back—and he has a cannon of a free-kick, which Liverpool will testify to.
When we consider those qualities, there isn't a better player in English football right now.
Gary Cahill
The man who has captained Chelsea in every Premier League game since Conte switched formations to the 3-4-3 earlier in the season, Gary Cahill has been a major figure in Chelsea's rise to the top, playing out of position on the left side of defence.
He's had to relearn some major facets of his game, but the Englishman hasn't shirked the challenge and looks a better player for it. Not only that, but he contributes goals and has recorded some vital strikes for the Blues this term, notably against Stoke City on New Year's Eve.
Wing-Backs
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Victor Moses
The revelation of the season—few people, if any, could have predicted that Victor Moses would be so vital to Conte this campaign.
Not only is the Nigerian a good advert for Conte's ability to transform players at his disposal, but he demonstrates qualities that every football fan respects—and typifies the notion that graft can get you places.
There's more to it than that, but the endeavour Moses has shown this term has epitomised what we've seen from Chelsea. The players work for each other, and no other player demonstrates that more than Moses. Without him, the 3-4-3 isn't anywhere near as effective.
Hector Bellerin
We know Hector Bellerin is normally seen on the right flank and that Marcos Alonso has every right to feel aggrieved for being overlooked in this fantasy XI, but Bellerin is here for one good reason: his electric pace!
The Spaniard has fire in his loins and, regardless of being a right-footer, would give this combined XI plenty of potential on the counter when playing opposite to Moses.
We've seen Chelsea turn over teams this season by hitting them quickly. With someone like Bellerin on the scene, the threat would be much greater.
Midfielders
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N'Golo Kante
Do we need to explain the Frenchman's inclusion here? We'll keep it brief. He's been the Premier League's finest defensive midfielder again this season, reinforcing the notion that his Leicester City form last term was no anomaly.
Every team needs a defensive balance, and there isn't a better player than N'Golo Kante at providing that.
Nemanja Matic
Playing alongside Kante has reinvigorated Nemanja Matic this season. While the club has enjoyed a renaissance under Conte, the Serb has, too.
Indeed, we're seeing a different side to his game. He still provides that midfield steel that won him plaudits when he returned to England in 2014, but he's proving a strong influence further up the pitch. He's influencing Chelsea's attacking movement, and with six assists—more than his tally for the past two seasons combined—the stats show us where he is proving an influence.
Matic doesn't offer the same vision as a player such as Cesc Fabregas, but he's a more all-around competitor, which is why he makes our midfield pair alongside Kante.
Attackers
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Diego Costa
Put simply, Diego Costa is the Premier League's best striker. There may be better goalscorers, but as a striker, there isn't another player who has come close to rivaling the Spain international this season.
He leads the line expertly, bullying defenders and creating space for others. He reads the game with intelligence, constantly finding himself in dangerous positions to punish opponents.
Chelsea have been so clinical in front of goal this season because of Costa. Take him out of Conte's side, and the Blues wouldn't be as big of a threat.
Alexis Sanchez
Just the thought of stealing Alexis Sanchez, whose contract is winding down, from Arsenal would have every Chelsea fan licking their lips.
It's difficult to imagine that scenario happening, but in the spirit of fantasy football, we can dream a little about how the Chilean would form a deadly part of a combined Chelsea-Arsenal XI.
His tenacity would be the perfect complement to Costa's goalscoring ability, not forgetting that Sanchez isn't shy in front of goal.
Playing in an attacking three, he has the potential to be devastating, floating from flank to flank or playing directly through the middle.
Pedro
Choosing Pedro over Eden Hazard is probably the most controversial pick here. Looking at the pair's recent form, however, the Spaniard justifies inclusion.
The ex-Barcelona man has his mojo back under Conte, playing in a more familiar inside-right position than he did last term, when he was asked to play more as a winger.
That has meant Pedro isn't just creating goals for others but also finding himself in dangerous positions. He has scored five goals since the beginning of December, compared to Hazard's two, showing just how vital he is becoming to Chelsea.
After a tough first season, Pedro has established himself in English football, and this Chelsea-Arsenal XI is stronger for having him in it.
