Arsene Wenger may now be regretting resting Hector Bellerin and Aaron Ramsey in midweek following Arsenal’s embarrassing Champions League loss to Dinamo Zagreb.
The right side which Ramsey and Bellerin usually occupy was exposed for the first goal in the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat to the Croatians, whose previous Champions League win was in 1999.
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Mathieu Debuchy, who replaced Bellerin at right-back, was dragged too far inside and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain recovered only quickly enough to rebound the ball into his own net.
When fit, 20-year-old Bellerin has been an ever-present in Arsenal’s Premier League team this season, and has struck up a good partnership with Ramsey since the Welshman’s move to the right.
Ramsey, more defensively aware than the England winger, would likely have taken up a better position than Oxlade-Chamberlain and not allowed Dinamo defender Josip Pivaric as much space.
Chelsea, although out of sorts at the start of their Premier League title defence, have a much more potent left-flank combination in the form of Cesar Azpilicueta and Eden Hazard.
Therefore Arsenal supporters will be relieved to learn that both Bellerin and Ramsey are back in selection contention for their trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime.
Wenger is quoted by Arsenal.com as saying at his Friday press-conference: “We have no injuries and we left Ramsey and Bellerin behind [for the Zagreb game]. They integrate into the squad again.”
The club’s official website also confirmed that the Gunners have Per Mertesacker available again after four missed games because of illness. Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky are out.
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