EPL Match Day 7: Arsenal v Chelsea

Will the real Arsenal please show up?

I will watch. I will cheer. I will scream and do all the other things that fans of a team do when their team is playing. Sure, I care if they win or lose. I take losses very painfully. I won’t chat about my team, I won’t read about my team I just avoid it for a good 24 hours after the loss. I don’t like it when my team is criticized – it just goes with the territory of being a fan I guess. I wear my red and white very proudly. But I am also a pragmatist, and I will admit I don’t see things going well. 

Well, this is one of those times. I don’t think Chelsea are unbeatable. I don’t think any team has to be afraid of them. Unlike some of the readers here I don’t go aw limp in the wrist and jiggle at the threat that is Chelsea. They have a weakness it can be exploited – it’s just a matter of exploiting it. 

Chelsea are a good team, of that there is no doubt. Drogba has been feasting on Arsenal goalies, skinning them for 12 goals. It’s funny about him, because he not only admits an affinty for playing against Arsenal but he has also been highliy praiseworthy of what Arsenal are about – if only he could show his appreciation in another way. Under Ancelotti, the entire team has prospered and until he matches Mourhino’s feats he will still live in his shawdow. But has started them very well this year. 

But let’s be real – they feasted on minnows as they should. When they played against a talented side like City, they were anemic. Even when a determined Blackpool decided to show up in the 2nd half of their match they had issues. Marseille were quite unlucky to not snatch a point at the very least from their CL tie. When faced with real competition – they are showing their weakness. 

So you ask what is that weakness. It is the defencive middle pairing of Alex and Terry. They are good.  But they are slow. In Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 system Ashley Cole is coming way more forward than he has in the past. This is leaving the slower Terry and Alex exposed. If you can get someone with speed beyond Cole and attacking the middle on a consistent basis, their central tandem can be beaten. Terry was skinned last week by Tevez. If not for some good support and some better play by Tevez, Terry could’ve been culprit to more goals. Of course you need speed to take advantage of this. Cole is quick and can get back in a hurry. Unfortunately for us, our biggest speedster is in the physio room. 

Additionally, there is one other weakness that Chelsea have that may come into play this week – goalkeeper. Petr Cech is one of the best keepers in the league but he has shown season after season, a difficulty in handling crosses and set pieces. For the first time in a while, I can think of Arsenal having a player that can take advantage of that. You know of who I speak of – Marouane Chamakh. Marouane has scored more goals with his head this season than anyone else. He has scored 9 headed goals in the CL alone. If I am Wenger I am running Sagna down the side and crossing into Chamakh at every possible chance I get. 

This is a tough outting even when healthy. Chelsea have gotten the better of us lately. But I remind everyone it was only two season ago that we came to the bridge – wounded (as usual) and came away with a 2-1 win. Sure we have lost 4 in a row (3 league and 1 cup) but we have gone to the den and won. But the fact is, we come into Stamford Bridge limping. Okay maybe crawling is the better word. Some of our best threats cannot even play. Our best defender still hasn’t played beyond the first international break. Our center piece midfielder was racing to get back but looks to be short for the match. And our biggest speed threat is gone. 

So again, we come into a Chelsea match without all our available options. It’s not an excuse though. There is still talent on the team. I believe even though the West Brom game was woeful, that Squillaci and Koscielny are better than that match. They will definitely have to be. Song is going to have to remember his place and stay home. We need him to shut down Malouda or Drogba like he did Messi in the first leg of the CL last season. If he tries to play an attacking midfielder and lets loose with his errant passes he hurts us on his own. Jack Wilshere was made for this match. He is every bit an Arsenal player with his ability but he also has bit of that bulldog edge. I think he will absolutely understand the stage he is coming on and I think he could be the great hope in this match. 

Some of our other players need to show they can also step up. Clichy needs to be Clichy from two years ago when he was second to only Cole in who is the best Left Back in the league. Sagna needs to show why he is widely considered the best RB in the EPL. Andrei Arshavin and Nasri need to live up to their potential as well. I would really like Arshavin to get on board and use his speed to get around Ivanovic and skin Terry. But most of all, above any other player, if Fabianksi wants everyone to forgive all his faults he simply must play the game of his life. This is it – weak goals given and I do not doubt he will never see another start again in even the Emirates Cup. It’s an awful big ask from a player who is good for at least one howler a match. 

How The Match Should Play Out:
I dunno. Like I said I believe Chelsea have a couple of exploitable weaknesses and we have the players to do it. It just remains to be seen whether Arsene has picked up on those weaknesses and will do anything about it. Chelsea away, was always going to be rough. The task remains harder on us with all the injuries. We can play ticky tacky passing all day long but the Chavs have shown a propensity for being patient against us, only to kill us on the counter. This could very well be the case on Sunday. 

Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Never before have so many hoped for so few but Arsenal fans, whether they hate him or love him, are praying that Lukasz Fabianksi suddenly turns into David Seaman (at least for one match) and turns away the blue tide. Do that and the it is Manuel Almunia who never sees the light of day again. Don’t and well – 

Chelsea: I hate this guy. I really do. But I have to acknowledge when someone is so damn good you only hate because he doesn’t play for your team. Didier Drogba is the best striker in the EPL. He is strong, quick and that goddamn free kick is so good. He has feasted on Arsenal, a team he almost signed for (why why why didn’t he.) He gets another chance to try and do it. 

Probable Starting XI: 

Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 0
Chelsea: 2 

Last 5:
Arsenal: WWWDL 

Chelsea: WWWWL 

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:  Arshavin 5 (2 League) 

Chelsea: 7 (2 league); Malouda: 6 (6 league) 

Match Officials:
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant Referees: Simon Beck & Glenn Turner
Fourth Official: Lee Probert 

Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 11:00AM EST 

UK: Sky Sports 2 1600 BST 

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YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 1 

Chelsea: 3 

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