PREMIER LEAGUE ARSENAL TEAM NEWS: INJURIES, SUSPENSIONS AND LINE-UP VS CHELSEA...

Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday

Arsenal were a dealt a tough blow in their final game of the year as West Brom were awarded a somewhat fortunate penalty kick after referee Mike Dean adjudged Calum Chambers to have deliberately handballed in the box on New Years Eve.

The subsequent equaliser from the spot was enough for both teams to share the spoils on Sunday and as Arsene Wenger takes his squad into 2018, supporters will be wondering whether their team possesses enough to finish in the top four.

Admittedly, bad refereeing decisions aren't going to do anything to help their cause but Arsenal's performance against the Baggies was by no means dominant and they will need to increase their level on Wednesday night when they face Chelsea in north London.

The Gunners face Chelsea three times in January after drawing the Blues in the Carabao Cup semi-final and will be desperate to make sure they get the New Year off to a positive start.

                     ARSENAL INJURIES

Nacho Monreal, Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey are still out injured while Sead Kolasinac has been ruled out for two weeks after he was on the receiving end of a challenge from West Brom midfielder Gareth Barry.

Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny are both doubts for Wednesday's game with Wenger deeming the Frenchman of having a 30 per cent chance of being involved at Emirates Stadium.

Spanish midfield maestro Santi Cazorla remains a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.

ARSENAL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP

Injuries look set to ravage Arsenal's starting XI for their first game of 2018 with captain Per Mertesacker likely to fill in for the absent Laurent Koscielny.

Sead Kolasinac's blow means Wenger has a choice of reverting to four defenders at the back but he may decide to try out Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left wing back due to the lack of available left-backs.
In central midfield Jack Wilshere and Granit Xhaka are expected to continue while Danny Welbeck and Alexandre Lacazette will be the favoured forwards, with one of Alex Iwobi or Theo Walcott also coming in.