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…

Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal are going to have to dip deep now after back-to-back Premier League defeats, which means that their senior players will have to stand up and be counted.

And, although he didn’t have a great afternoon against Chelsea, Laurent Koscielny is the most important of the lot.

Prior to the Chelsea game, the French international was embarking on a fine season at the heart of the Gunners defence, and was beginning to strike up a great partnership with Shkodran Mustafi at the back.

Koscielny has started all but one of their 24 league matches this term to underline his status as the club’s most senior defender, and he’ll need to bounce back fast following a disappointing display against Chelsea, where he himself didn’t cover himself in glory attempting to deny Eden Hazard for the Blues’ second goal.

Nonetheless, as centre-half and captain, the Frenchman will need to lead by example between now and May if Wenger’s men are to close the gap on runaway leaders Chelsea.

Alexis Sanchez

He’s their talisman, their best player, and the man that makes them tick, so keeping Alexis Sanchez fit and happy over the coming months if absolutely vital for Arsenal.

The Chilean, who moved to the Emirates in 2014, is embarking on his best season in England having netted 15 Premier League goals thus far, the joint most of anyone alongside Diego Costa, and 17 in 31 matches in all competitions.

Add in 11 assists in the league and Champions League, and the 28-year-old not only scores but also creates, and his involvement in 29 goals is extraordinary given the amount of quality Arsenal have in the attacking areas.

However, this does also highlight how good Sanchez has been this season as everything comes through him, and whether he’s starting upfront or in the wide left position, he’s a player that has to be on the pitch every week if the Gunners want to try and reel Chelsea in come May.