“I’m being kind” – Just one Arsenal player selected in Chelsea-Arsenal combined XI
Footballer-turned-pundit Paul Merson has selected his Chelsea-Arsenal combined starting lineup.
The Blues host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, kick-off is scheduled for 13:30 (GMT).
Surprisingly, Merson has struggled to fit in any Arsenal player in his combined line-up. Chile international Alexis Sanchez – who came close to a deadline day exit – is they only Gunner to be included.
Merson left Mesut Ozil out of his squad in favour of Belgium international playmaker Eden Hazard.
“I’ve picked a 3-4-2-1 as that’s what both sides have been playing so I don’t know if Mesut Ozil would fit into that system,” Merson told SkySports.
“Ozil certainly doesn’t get in ahead of Hazard and I don’t think many Arsenal fans would put him in ahead of Sanchez.
“I’ve picked a team to win a football match, not a fantasy side based on technical ability.”
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Ozil – along with six other first team players – was left out of Arsenal’s squad which took ok FC Koln on Thursday night in the Europa League.
Manager Arsene Wenger decided to rest his star names in preparation for this weekends London derby with Chelsea.
Arsenal defeated Chelsea in the FA Cup final late last season and in the FA Community Shield Final last month.
Chelsea come into the game in impressive form following three back-to-back wins.
