2 players Arsenal must start in every game if they are to close the gap on Chelsea

Arsenal suffered a second successive Premier League defeat after going down 3-1 at leaders Chelsea on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s men went into the clash nine points adrift of the Blues and needing a win to keep their faint title hopes alive, but found themselves behind early when Marcos Alonso headed home after Diego Costa hit the bar.

The Gunners then went two down in the early stages of the second half courtesy of Eden Hazard’s excellent solo goal, before a Petr Cech gaffe allowed former Gunner Cesc Fabregas to make it three late on.

Olivier Giroud grabbed a consolation in injury-time to give the travelling Arsenal supporters some cheer on an otherwise miserable afternoon for Wenger’s men, who slipped to fourth as a result of Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Swansea on Sunday.

Arsenal are now 12 points behind Chelsea with just 14 games to go, so Wenger’s side will need to do something special, as well as hope for a Chelsea slip up, to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2005.

They certainly have quality players in their ranks, and here are TWO that have to start every game between now and May if Arsenal are to close the gap on Chelsea…