Chelsea Preview - The game that could shape our season…

Let’s be honest, at the start of the season not many neutral’s were expecting Arsenal to challenge for the Premier League title. Expectations were low, no Henry, surely another trophy-less season?

Wrong. Arséne Wenger’s side have not only exceeded many football pundits expectations, but more importantly have proved there is life after Thierry Henry.

Emmanuel Adebayor’s goals have been a key feature of the team’s success this season. Cesc Fabregas, Alex Hleb and Mathieu Flamini have all been consistent performers on the pitch and with the creative side’s of Alex Hleb and Cesc Fabregas always on show, you can be sure that they will pull a trick out of the hat in any game and destroy their opponent.

Bacary Sagna has come into the team and looks as if he’s been playing in the Arsenal defence for years. Once again, another consistent performer, after the tragic death of his brother Omar, (news that Gunners Live broke in England) Bacary came back into the team and showed his fantastic confidence and strong mentality.

The season still has someway to go before ending, but it’s amazing when you look at the up’s and down’s during the past 7 months…

• Amazing comeback against Fulham.
• Fantastic performance at home v Man United to draw 2-2.
• Gallas scores against his old club to give Arsenal a 1-0 win over Chelsea.
• Christmas period successful with wins over Spurs, Portsmouth and Everton.
• 5-1 thrashing to go out of the League Cup Semi against Spurs.
• Eduardo’s horrific injury sustained against Birmingham.
• 4-0 defeat at the hands of Man United in the FA Cup 5th round.
• Amazing performance in the second leg at the San Siro v Milan.
• 4 Premier League draws on the trot as Arsenal concede top spot to United.

Of course there’s plenty more brilliant results, and maybe we can gain some more in the last couple of months of this enthralling season.

Now onto the Chelsea Preview…

Chelsea:

Surprise, surprise. Chelsea are still lurking behind The Gunners in the League - just 2 points separates them after their 4-4 draw against Tottenham. The corresponding fixture last year was probably our most impressive League result, 1-0 with Gallas scoring against his former club, a fantastic achievement for the underrated Arsenal team.

Drogba, Joe Cole, Kalou and Michael Essien are all in good form, the latter was pictured in a Arsenal shirt not long ago! This game of course will make or break our season, if we lose, my view would be bye-bye to the title. If we win, well, Man United could slip up against Liverpool and maybe we could take advantage of a poor Utd result at Old Trafford?

Arsenal:

Arsenal go to Stamford Bridge on the back of four successive Premier League draws, games that they should of got 3 points from against the likes of Birmingham, Villa, Wigan and Boro. Chelsea haven’t been lost at the Bridge in the League for almost four years, a massive achievement for a club who’s trophies have only started coming in the last few seasons.

Injury news for Arsenal is the same as it was for the Boro game, no ones back, Johan Djourou played 80 minutes for the Reserves in their 2-0 win over Portsmouth. The Swiss defender won’t be included in the squad for the trip to South West London though.

Abou Diaby is in ’special training’ and will probably be back in the next week or so, as for Tomas Rosicky, well, the Czech midfielder has had an injury plagued career at Arsenal so far, maybe he will get a few games at the end of the season? He of course is still out, as well as Eduardo and Diaby.

Predicted Line Up’s:

Arsenal:

-Almunia-
-Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy-
-Eboue-Fabregas-Flamini-Hleb-
-Adebayor-van Persie-

Chelsea:

-Cudicini-
-Ferreira-Terry-Carvalho-A.Cole-
-Ballack-Essien
-Lampard-
-J.Cole-Drogba-Kalou

 

Manager Views:

Arséne Wenger:

“We’ve got the strength of character to win the title, believe me,” said Le Boss.

“That’s my belief, my firm belief and at the game on Sunday you will see. Since the first day of the season I have said that I believe in this team. Come back in May and we will speak about it then. There’s always a first time and, until you win, people have doubts about you and they’re questioning you. But the strong ones keep going.”

Avram Grant:

“There are eight games to go. We wanted to get to the position where it would be in our hands.
“We’ve worked hard for this from when I came here and now we need to use this situation. I am very happy with my team’s form.

“We’ve played very good football in the last few games and scored a lot of goals. We are in a good shape in the right moment and I am very proud of this and respect what the players have done.”

Come on Arsenal!

(P.S. Gooners, if you have any trouble getting ‘revved’ up for this game… maybe the photo below will help? )