Ozil and Sanchez set for return as Arsenal bid for title boost against Chelsea
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are set to be unleashed on old foes Chelsea after returning to full fitness as the Gunners bid to showcase their title credentials at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
A toe injury sidelined World Cup-winner Ozil for Sunday’s stalemate at Stoke – Premier League leaders Arsenal’s second successive draw – while Sanchez has been ruled out since November with a hamstring problem.
Despite Chelsea’s struggles this season, victory over the reigning Premier League champions would represent a sizeable feather in Arsenal’s collective cap, having beaten the Blues just twice in 16 clashes since 2009.
“Compared to last week, we have no big problems,” said Wenger, whose side top the league on goal difference from Leicester. “The good news it that Ozil certainly will be available and for Sanchez, the next two days will be decisive, but I think he will be available.
“It’s another game where people look at us and how we behave because even if Chelsea isn’t in the best position [14th in the Premier League and four points clear of relegation], you only have to look at their squad.”
Chelsea, meanwhile, have allowed defender Papy Djilobodji to join Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on loan for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old played just one minute of Premier League action for the Stamford Bridge club since signing from Nantes in the summer.