Alexis Sanchez should return to the squad after a lengthy period out with a hamstring problem. As much as I'd love to see him up against Ivanovic, I think the sensible decision would be to place him on the bench and ease him in gently. Theo Walcott was not at his best at Stoke at all so I could see Arsène wanting to give him a chance to rectify his performance. Arsène likes to do that. Not only this but Theo Walcott has a habit of turning on the style in big games against Chelsea.
Alexis along with Özil have been our best attacking players over the last few matches and he hasn't looked tired one bit, in fact he looked like he was returning to his best after a wobble. So I don't blame the manager for not taking him out of the team. If the player gets the go ahead from the medical staff, the player says he feels fit and of course his recent performances show that he is winning games for you then what do you do? When players get injured for the most part, I think we can manage until they return as long as it is not all of your players in the same position or if that player is Alexis Sanchez because he is different to everyone else. I guess it depends on the duration of the injury. Luckily we have Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey back along with Joel Campbell who looks better than the bit part version we witnessed until now.