Chelsea’s new boss Liam Rosenior might hardly face a more durable first take a look at at Stamford Bridge than Arsenal on Wednesday night time, however he will probably be assured his aspect have greater than sufficient expertise to spring an upset.
In reality, based on stats boffins Sofascore, 5 of Rosenior’s gamers make it right into a mixed Chelsea vs Arsenal XI forward of first leg of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final, which can come as a shock given the Gunners are an enormous 18 factors higher off within the Premier League desk.
Arsenal, who sit high of each the Premier League and Champions League tables and stay in competition in each home cup competitions, have six gamers within the mixed XI and present a noticeable dominance in defence.
The choice is predicated on information monitoring every participant’s common score over the course of the season to date and excludes these presently sidelined via harm.
Arsenal boast the three highest-rated gamers within the lineup by common score, in addition to the lowest-rated star.
So who makes the reduce? Utilizing Sofascore information, Every day Mail Sport takes a glance…
As Arsenal and Chelsea put together to do battle which of their gamers make the mixed XI?
DAVID RAYA (GOALKEEPER) – 6.90
With 15 clear sheets from 27 appearances in all competitions to date, it is no shock to see David Raya between the sticks.
The Spaniard has been excellent since his 2023 transfer to the Emirates, establishing himself not solely as Arsenal’s No 1 but additionally as one of the crucial constant goalkeepers within the division.
A powerful shot-stopper with excellent distribution, Raya has helped lead Arsenal’s title cost from the again and is in pole place to choose up the Golden Glove for a 3rd straight season.
REECE JAMES (RIGHT BACK) – 7.26
Whereas additionally taking part in loads of video games in midfield, Reece James has reminded everybody why he is likely one of the greatest proper backs within the Premier League with an excellent first half of the season.
The Blues captain, 26, has overcome his harm woe to chalk up 25 appearances throughout all competitions to date, rising the favorite to start out as England’s proper again underneath Thomas Tuchel on the World Cup this summer season.
Whereas considerably enhancing his availability, James has additionally taken a leap by way of his performances, stepping up with eight necessary aim contributions forward of Wednesday’s London derby.
WILLIAM SALIBA (CENTRE BACK) – 7.03
Regardless of being ever so barely overshadowed by Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes this marketing campaign, William Saliba stays one of many first names of Mikel Arteta’s teamsheet – and with good cause.
Tall, robust and defensively astute, the Frenchman not often finds himself on the flawed aspect of a head-to-head battle and is a key cause why Arsenal have stored so many clear sheets this season.
Arsenal’s second-string defensive pairing, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera, additionally deserve loads of reward for deputising solidly through the transient harm absences of Saliba and Gabriel.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES (CENTRE BACK) – 7.31
Arguably the very best defender on this planet proper now, Gabriel has taken strides on each side of the pitch this season, chipping in with essential targets to help Arsenal’s Premier League title cost.
Because the Gunners proceed to cleared the path by way of their risk from set-pieces, Gabriel has been reaping the rewards along with his capacity within the air, netting 4 targets from defence already this marketing campaign.
His spectacular common score of seven.31 ranks because the second greatest participant throughout the 2 squads, with just one Arsenal star outperforming him to date this season.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI (LEFT BACK) – 6.87
Finishing the again line is Arsenal left-back Riccardo Calafiori, who has executed effectively to maintain Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella out of the aspect after a wonderful begin to the season.
Calafiori’s inclusion implies that solely Chelsea’s captain James has managed to infiltrate the Arsenal again line on this mixed XI – and it is no actual shock given how dominate the Gunners have been in defence.
Though Arteta has loads of choices now within the left again place, together with England worldwide Myles Lewis-Skelly and versatile defender Hincapie, Calafiori has established himself because the clear first selection underneath the Spaniard with 20 appearances to date to his identify.
ENZO FERNANDEZ (CENTRE-MIDFIELD) – 7.16
The primary midfielder warding off competitors from the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze is Chelsea’s file signing Enzo Fernandez.
A flexible participant who can move, dribble, sort out and positively has an edge to his sport, the Argentinian has added targets to his repertoire his marketing campaign.
Fernandez has bagged a formidable 9 in 29 look this season, giving him a SofaScore score of seven.16.
MOISES CAICEDO (CENTRE-MIDFIELD) – 7.26
There are few gamers extra deserving of a spot on this star-studded joint eleven than Moises Caicedo.
Signed with lots of expectation resting on his shoulders in the summertime of 2023, the Ecuadorian midfield basic has taken his sport to new heights at Stamford Bridge.
Liam Rosenior described Caicedo this week because the ‘greatest midfielder on this planet’, although SofaScore’s subsequent decide might have one thing to say about that.
DECLAN RICE (CENTRE-MIDFIELDER) – 7.52
Not solely is England stalwart Declan Rice one of the crucial likeable gamers within the Premier League, however he additionally has a terrific shout at being the very best.
For a defensive midfielder, Rice has all of it, regardless of pundits in some quarters wanting he scores extra targets. The one factor the Gunners’ fan favorite is lacking is a stacked trophy cupboard. Proper now, all he is received is the Convention League with West Ham.
This season might be the yr that modifications and with Arsenal nonetheless difficult on all 4 fronts, he might add a couple of to that checklist.
BUKAYO SAKA (CENTRE-MIDFIELDER) – 7.27
Not for nothing was Bukayo Saka handed a contract extension which has made him Arsenal’s highest earner final week. The academy graduate is arguably Arsenal’s best talisman, and within the absence of Martin Odegaard this season, the England star has additionally sported the captain’s armband with some regularity.
With Saka within the aspect, Arsenal are stronger and loaded with risk, as evidenced by his regular haul this time period – he is scored seven and notched up an extra six assists throughout all competitions this season.
His Premier League stats again up his standing too, with Saka the third-highest scored participant within the mixed XI.
JOAO PEDRO (STRIKER) – 6.90
Signed through the Membership World Cup, the Brazilian ahead was instantly off to the races Stateside, netting 3 times as Chelsea surged to their victory within the new-look match.
However since returning to English soil, former Brighton striker Pedro has struggled to search out consistency in his new aspect, and stays in battle for fellow summer season buy Liam Delap for a everlasting cease within the Blues’ beginning XI.
That being stated, he has scored a not-to-be-sniffed-at six Premier League targets this season, and continues to look a hungry presence among the many west Londoners’ ranks.
PEDRO NETO (WINGER) – 7.04
Time will inform if Rosenior depends upon Pedro Neto as a lot as his predecessor Enzo Maresca has this season, however he could be clever to take action, with the Portugal worldwide one of many Blues’ lynchpins this season.
With 5 targets and an extra three assists to his identify within the Premier League, there are higher-scoring stars on the market, however the winger’s work fee has additionally impressed, with seven massive possibilities created this time period, as per Sofascore.
