Arsenal vs Chelsea Preview
The rivalry between Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea has been well-documented over the last ten years, as both managers have not missed the opportunity to take potshots at each other. The fact that Wenger’s Arsenal has not won a game against Chelsea under Jose Mourinho is the elephant in the room, around which the other sub-plots revolve. The transfer of Cesc Fabregas, one of Arsenal’s most-loved sons, to Chelsea over the summer transfer window, has also bemoaned Arsenal fans who would have loved to see him in an Arsenal jersey again. Both managers have made jibes at the other’s team over the past week, and there will be a battle of supremacy on the pitch, as Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea will look at keeping their unbeaten record against Arsenal, while Wenger will want to change that as he commemorates his 18th year of managing Arsenal.
Both teams have top players in their respective sides, which bodes well for Arsenal, who have previously faced Chelsea with significantly weaker teams, due to Wenger’s inability to spend owing to the redevelopment of the Emirates Stadium. Now, both teams look almost equal in terms of quality, though Chelsea still hold the edge in terms of strong squad depth. Arsenal will want to make amends for their 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea the last time around, and are provided with the perfect opportunity to break Chelsea’s aura of invincibility that they have seemingly acquired this season, with five wins and a draw – 16 points in their first six games. For Chelsea, the signings of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have inspired the team to smooth victories, with Costa scoring eight goals in six games, to lead the list of goalscorers in the Premier League by a huge margin. For Arsenal, the signings of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck have helped Arsenal in their footballing approach, as they have performed to encourage Arsenal’s hopes of lifting silverware at the end of the season. Arsenal’s return of 10 points in six games have kept them in fourth place, though they could lose that place if they lose today.
Team News And Tactics
Both managers have bared their fangs and are ready to strike, with the handling of the Fabregas transfer turning into a major bone of contention before the match. Both teams are in good form and goals could be expected today. Chelsea hold an edge over Arsenal, as Arsenal do not have the necessary depth in defence which could have given them options after a midweek Champions League game, with injuries to Debuchy, Arteta, Monreal, Diaby and Ramsey weighing them down. The stakes are high, and could set the tone for both teams over the rest of the season to derive confidence from this result. Both teams are going to stick to their preferred formations: Arsenal will use one of the 4-1-4-1 or the 4-2-3-1 formations which have favoured them this season, while Chelsea will not deviate from the 4-2-3-1 formation which they have epitomized over the past few seasons. Chelsea will mostly deploy their tried and tested counter attacking tactics against the gunners.
Predicted line-ups:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois – Branislov Ivanovic, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta – Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas – Willian/Andre Schurrle, Oscar, Eden Hazard – Diego Costa
Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Wojciech Szczesny – Calum Chambers, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Kieran Gibbs – Mathieu Flamini – Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere/Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain/Lukas Podolski – Danny Welbeck
Predicted result: Chelsea 3-2 Arsenal
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