Arsenal and Chelsea combined starting XI ahead of Premier League London derby

Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday night when they face out-of-form rivals Chelsea.

The Gunners need to win if they are going to keep up their Premier League title bid, now likely needing to win all of their remaining games while hoping for Manchester City to slip up. Chelsea have been in rotten form all season, but they do say wounded animals are dangerous, and the Blues are most certainly wounded.

As the two teams prepare for the London derby, we have taken a look at what a combined XI would look like between Arsenal and Chelsea. Luckily for Chelsea, this XI is based on overall talent and previous seasons, not just on form.

Take a look below...

GK - Aaron Ramsdale

Kepa could probably make a claim for this based on some good form this season, but Ramsdale has been more reliable, particularly factoring in more than just this season.

LB - Oleksandr Zinchenko

Chilwell could also make a claim here, but again, Zinchenko has been more reliable defensively over recent seasons.

CB - Gabriel Magalhaes

Gabriel has been key to Arsenal’s efforts this season, and he feels like a no-brainer here.

CB - Thiago Silva

Saliba has a case here, but Thiago Silva has been impressive over recent years, and he has that knowhow that gets him a spot in this XI.

RB - Cesar Azpilicueta

Sticking with experiences, Azpilicueta has far more knowhow than Ben White - who is naturally a centre-back - at right-back.

CDM - N’Golo Kante

Partey has shown good form this season, but Kante is one of the best in the world when fit and in form.

CM - Martin Odegaard

Odegaard just gets better and better, and he undoubtedly gets the nod here.

CM - Enzo Fernandez

Enzo continues to grow into the Premier League, and he gets the nod based on talent and potential here. Not only that, but Arsenal need to improve this second central midfield position this summer.

RW - Bukayo Saka

Into the attack, and Saka, who has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, is a no-brainer.

LW - Gabriel Martinelli

Another in-form player with sky-high potential, Martinelli has blown Chelsea’s wingers out of the water this season. Mykhaylo Mudryk may get in some day, but we haven’t seen enough yet.

CF - Gabriel Jesus

Jesus is the starter up top, with Chelsea having no real competition given their lack of strikers at the moment. Not only that, but Jesus has enjoyed a fine season, while he also came into this campaign having been a consistent performer for Manchester City.