Arsenal don't have much to fight for in the league - excluding pride - yet the remaining few games certainly give Mikel Arteta a chance to test things out ahead of new campaign.
Facing Chelsea will surely give us food for thought. Thomas Tuchel took his team into 2 finals and the Blues are genuine top-4 contenders, when 3 months ago this was not the case.
They are tough as nails, something Arteta will be acutely aware of, so his approach will be interesting. The Spaniard has largely upped his game for big matches.
Arsenal will be without David Luiz, according to the gaffer, while there are questions marks over Pablo Mari, Granit Xhaka and Emile Smith Rowe (who was subbed off vs West Brom). Here's how we think Arteta can approach the game.
Option 1: midfield reshuffle
We scored 3 goals and were good value for the eventual win vs West Brom. However, seeing some faces in the XI was truly baffling.
Dani Ceballos and Willian are in that category. Bernd Leno, if the rumours about his imminent departure are true, should probably be benched too.
There's also the injury to Smith Rowe to consider - as well as Bukayo Saka's exhaustion levels. Finally, Gabi Martinelli was not too impressive at CF, perhaps a place on the left is in order.
Starting XI: Ryan, Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Elneny, Pepe, Odegaard, Martinelli, Aubameyang
Option 2: sprinkle of youth
Arsenal have a bunch of talented youngsters beyond Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli to make use of.
There are 3 names in particular fans were craving for ahead of West Brom game: Folarin Balogun, Reiss Nelson and Azeez - none even made the bench.
Would it be silly to give all 3 a start vs Chelsea? Perhaps but Arsenal don't have much to lose, while giving their young guns a chance ahead of next season is valuable. Mo Elneny, Nico Pepe and Auba drop out to accommodate those three.
Starting XI: Ryan, Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Azeez, Nelson, Odegaard, Martinelli, Balogun
Which XI would you go with? Let us know in the comments below!
