Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsene Wenger provides clue on Arsenal team selection for Chelsea showdown
ARSENE WENGER has given a slight clue as to his starting XI for Arsenal’s showdown against Chelsea.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Spotlight on
Arsenal take on the Premier League leaders on Saturday (12:30pm) desperate to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat at home to Watford on Tuesday.
Chelsea are expected to field a near full-strength side for the Stamford Bridge clash, however Arsenal aren’t quite in the same boat.
Francis Coquelin is the Gunners’ only senior midfielder that is fit, as Aaron Ramsey came off with a calf strain against the Hornets and Santi Cazorla is a long-term absentee.
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka is suspended and Mohamed Elneny is still at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could start down the middle again for Arsenal
Ainsley Maitland-Niles could start against Chelsea
He’s very good in one against ones and quick in his recoveries, very good in duels
Wenger could be forced to make alternative plans and may pair Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain together in the middle of the park.
Speaking about his qualities, he said: “Ainsley [Maitland-Niles] has played a lot on the flanks but I’ve seen qualities in him that tell me he can be useful in the middle and he can also be a defensive specialist.
“He’s very good in one against ones and quick in his recoveries, very good in duels, and not scared to play either.
“I’m pleased for him because he’s a boy who has had to be patient, who has a good mentality. I like him very much and I think his game is very positive.”
Arsene Wenger is in the grip of a midfield crisis
Wenger also thinks Oxlade-Chamberlain’s versatility works to the Gunners’ advantage.
He added: “Alex [Oxlade-Chamberlain] impressed me in the middle too.
“He’s a player who can be effective on the flanks and when he’s in a more central role.
“When you are young, you want to come in the team and the push is always a bit more on the flank.
“Why? Because centrally there is more experience demanded, more planning, more tactical planning, and on the flanks you can be a bit more instinctive.”
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?