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Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in what could be a season-defining clash for both clubs. Victory for the Gunners would cut the gap between them and the Blues, and fourth place, to a mere three points. Defeat, however, would extend Chelsea’s advantage to nine points, which would surely be insurmountable for Arsenal at this stage of the season.

It is therefore vital that Unai Emery gets his team selection right, to give his side every chance of overcoming Maurizio Sarri’s outfit.

On the chalkboard

Arsenal will stand no chance of victory on Saturday if their defence cannot improve upon the dismal form they’ve shown in recent weeks. 

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Emery must set the Gunners up to be as solid at the back as possible and the home side must make keeping a clean sheet their absolute priority for this match. Fortunately, a number of defenders have recently recovered from injury, giving Emery a bigger pool of options to pick from.

The return of Nacho Monreal is great news for the Gunners, and if he is fit to start this weekend – having been on the bench against West Ham last time out – then he must take Sead Kolasinac’s place in the XI.

Prioritising defence

The Bosnian has been a regular for Arsenal in Monreal’s absence, starting eleven of the club’s last twelve Premier League games, and the 25-year-old has become integral to the Gunners’ attacking play. Kolasinac’s physicality and smart movement in the final third make him a thorn in the side of the opposition defence.

However, Monreal offers a far more reliable option for Arsenal when it comes to defending their own goal. Given that solidity must be the priority, the 32-year-old should be brought back into the team at the expense of Kolasinac’s offensive threat.