EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL: Predictionboard.com Combined Eleven For Chelsea v Arsenal
By Max Wise
Chelsea take on Arsenal in an all-English final for the 2018/2019 Europa League later on Wednesday in Baku’s Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan, as Maurizio Sarri aims to win a first trophy as a manager while Unai Emery looks to win Europe’s second club competition for a fourth time.
Ahead of the game predictionboard.com writers; Max Wise, Joshua Walters and Nigel Philips have put together a comprehensive combined eleven for the two sides using a 4-3-3 formation.
Taking into consideration injuries, player unavailability (in the case of Henrikh Mkhitaryan) and fitness doubts, some big names have missed out on our selection but yet still the squad we have picked is not short of talent.
Have a look through our choices and leave your views in the comments section.
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
The world’s most expensive goalkeeper, aside his Wembley histrionics against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, has done fairly well in his first season in English football, keeping 14 clean sheets in the Premier League to help Chelsea finish third and qualify for the Champions League.
Defender: Cesar Azpilicueta
The right-back spot goes to Chelsea’s captain for most of the campaign, as the former Marseille defender has produced another solid season for the Blues, playing in all 38 Premier League games and featuring eight times in the Europa League.
Defender: David Luiz
David Luiz has had a solid campaign at the back for Chelsea, and his performances has seen the blues break their transfer policy by offering the 32-year-old Brazilian a new two-year-deal.
Defender: Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Sokratis has had a mixed first season in England as Arsenal kept just one away clean sheet in the league all season, but the Greek international gets the nod after injuries to key players in his playing department.
Defender: Marcos Alonso
If his performances in the previous two seasons are anything to go by, then Alonso has had an average campaign. But the Spanish defender still managed 31 appearances in the league with six-goal involvements.
Midfielder: Granit Xhaka
Arsenal’s Switzerland combative midfielder has featured eight times in the run-up to the final, and was an assured presence in midfield throughout the Premier League season, scoring four goals and picking up as many as 10 bookings.
Midfielder: Jorginho
Jorginho’s first season in England divides opinion but the Italian has been a fundamental part of Maurizio Sarri’s philosophy at Chelsea while his passing ability cannot be questioned. He has made 10 appearances in the Europa League and is set to start against Arsenal in the final.
Midfielder: Lucas Torreira
Torreira’s energetic displays in midfield has endeared him to the Arsenal fans since moving from Sampdoria to North London at the start of the season. He has made 11 appearances in the Europa League and scored against Tottenham in the league, where he featured 34 times.
Attack: Eden Hazard
Hazard has been phenomenal for Chelsea this season with his 19 goals in all competitions earning him a PFA Player of the Year nomination. The Belgian won Chelsea’s player of the year, and would like to bow out in style if rumors linking him to Real Madrid are to be believed.
Attack: Alexandre Lacazette
The former Lyon attacker’s partnership with Aubameyang has been deadly this season. Lacazette scored 13 goals in the Premier League, and has scored five times in the Europa League campaign.
Attack: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang emerged as the joint top scorer in the Premier League this season with 22 goals, while his 11 appearances in the Europa League has yielded eight goals thus far.
