Chelsea are vulnerable when it comes to this, Arsenal star can take advantage – Keown

Arsene Wenger’s men come up against Antonio Conte’s league leaders at Stamford Bridge in the early kick-off today (12.30pm).

A defeat for the Gunners would be another crushing blow to their title hopes, having lost to Watford 2-1 last time out.

Chelsea have only lost three times this season – one of them being a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in September – but Keown reckons they can find a way past them again.

GETTY

Martin Keown believes Arsenal should use Olivier Giroud's aerial threat against Chelsea

Chelsea v Arsenal combined XI: Which stars make the cut in our team?
Fri, February 3, 2017

Express Sport compiles a star-studded XI of players from Arsenal and Chelsea ahead of their Premier League clash on Saturday (12.30pm)

Play slideshow

Getty Images

1 of 13

Which Arsenal and Chelsea stars make it into our combined XI?

He believes Olivier Giroud’s aerial threat could pose a problem for Chelsea’s defence with the Blues struggling to keep out headed efforts in recent weeks.

“Chelsea seem a little vulnerable from balls into the box,” Keown told the Daily Mail.

“Tottenham beat Antonio Conte’s side last month with two Dele Alli headers from Christian Eriksen crosses.

“While he struggled against Watford and was taken off at half-time, Olivier Giroud could be preferred as the No 9 instead of Alexis Sanchez due to his aerial threat.

GETTY

Martin Keown believes Chelsea's defence are vulnerable from balls into the box

Arsenal line-up predicted to face Chelsea
Fri, February 3, 2017

Click through the gallery for the predicted Arsenal line-up to face Chelsea

Play slideshow

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

1 of 12

Click through the gallery for the predicted Arsenal line-up to face Chelsea

“Theo Walcott looked sharp off the bench on Tuesday and Danny Welbeck was so good against Southampton.

“Arsenal may be lacking at the base of their midfield but there is no questioning the firepower in their squad.”

Giroud was withdrawn at half-time in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to the Hornets on Tuesday after suffering an ankle knock, but he is thought to have shrugged off the injury ahead of today’s match and could start for the visitors.

Original Article