Arsenal v Chelsea: Fabregas, Sanchez, Giroud? Charlie Nicholas picks a combined XI
Sunday 26 April 2015 11:25, UK
Ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Arsenal on Super Sunday, we asked Charlie Nicholas to pick his best combined XI from the two squads.
Arsenal need to win if they’re to have any chance of catching the Premier League leaders Chelsea, who have a 10-point advantage with six games to play.
With the teams on course to finish first and second, Nicholas had plenty of options when faced with picking the best side, and here’s what he’s come up with.
CHARLIE NICHOLAS’ COMBINED XI (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Cortois; Cesar Azpilicueta, Laurent Koscielny, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic; Nemanja Matic, Aaron Ramsey; Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez; Olivier Giroud.
Nicholas had no problem deciding which goalkeeper to go with, while Chelsea players make up three of his back four.
He told Sky Sports: “Thibaut Coutois is, for me, the best goalkeeper in the world right now. He’s got everything – height, strength, agility, and he just commands the box so well for such a young man.
“Branislav Ivanovic hasn’t had his best campaign but he’s still a warrior. He’s a clever full-back and, of course, he’s good for the odd goal or two.
“I’m not convinced left-back is even Cesar Azpilicueta’s natural position but ask yourself this – when has he ever made a mistake? He’s so consistent that he’s probably the best left-back in the league.
“I think John Terry should have been nominated for Player of the Season – he’s been back to his best – and I’d have Laurent Koscielny in beside him at centre-half for a bit of pace and his improved passing.”
Earlier this week, Nicholas explained how Arsenal can beat Chelsea at their own game by playing the same formation as the Blues, and he’s stuck with the 4-2-3-1 system for his own side.
He added: “I want two deep-lying midfielders because this is the way Chelsea will play and the way I feel Arsenal should play in his game.
“So Nemanja Matic has to be in there to control things and I also think Aaron Ramsey has the ability to play there too, to the right of Matic – the main holding midfield player.
“Then I’d want a line of three attackers behind the striker, so I’d have Eden Hazard on the left, because he’s the player of the season in my opinion.
“I’d have Alexis Sanchez on the right on the back of a fantastic first year in English football, and I’d have to have Cesc Fabregas in the centre, even though he hasn’t really played all that well of late.
“Fabregas is pure class though, regardless of form, he’d make most Premier League dream teams.”
Olivier Giroud, who has scored 14 goals in 21 Premier League appearances this season, gets the nod up front in place of Chelsea’s Diego Costa.
He said: “Up front, on his own, I’d have Olivier Giroud over Diego Costa. Look at Giroud’s stats, he’s been sensational when he’s been fit this season.
“He’s turning into the perfect Premier League striker with his power, touch, heading ability and confidence – he’s really moved up a level this year.”
