Match Previews

Derby Day Delight: Arsenal v Chelsea, Match Preview

Let’s cut right to the chase shall we? This Sunday the most potent attack in the league faces off against the stingiest defences in the league. Emirates stadium will be the focal point of the EPL universe this weekend as league leading Chelsea take on 3rd place Arsenal. A win for the Gunners and their title hopes are still alive, a loss and they will be 11 points behind. Not insurmountable, but not easy to make up either.

Chelsea come into the Emirates playing the best and most confident football in the league. Their confidence that is borderline arrogance. But that is what comes from winning and playing as a team. Their defence has only conceded 8 goals in 13 matches and have gone 4 games with out conceding a league goal. On top of that, a few key players who looked to be injured are back in the lineup and the Blues should be coming in at near or full strength.

by
DaAdminGooner
November 27, 2009

It's On

Carlo Ancelotti has to be given the credit due of getting the best out of the league leaders. He is using formations that suit his talent. The Chelsea attack derives from the diamond in the midfield which looks to passing and distribution to unlock opponents. Though Manchester United showed that they can effectively be clogged up. Flood the center of the pitch and close down on players, Chelsea becomes vulnerable.

Gooners should expect Chelsea to be relaxed and opportunistic, looking for the right moment to attack rather than pressing for it. A loss wouldn’t be catastrophic for them. They would still sit on top of the league but both Arsenal and United would feel that the time for reeling them in is nigh. Throw in that Arsenal still have a game in hand and Chelsea loss makes their lead a little more dicey.

It bears mentioning at this time last year Chelsea were ridding high in the league and like now, leading the league. Arsenal paid a visit to the Bridge and won 2-1, Chelsea were top of the league. That loss began a downward spiral in form that ultimately resulted in Scolari’s sacking.

Even though Chelsea seem as strong as anyone these days they are not without their frailties. Early on in the season, the defense was allowing goals with regularity forcing the team to come from behind in 4 of 5 matches. Additionally, in losses to Wigan and Aston Villa Chelsea have shown an inability to defend against set pieces. Finally, smaller more agile forwards, ala Barca and Arsenal, have had success against Chelsea.

On the surface Chelsea seem the picture of fitness getting most of their first teamers back from injury spells. Drogba is still nursing a cracked rib but did play a full 90 minutes against Porto (a rather quiet 90 minutes). Deco is back from a groin injury and Ashley Cole supposedly is back from a leg injury whether they are fully 100% remains to be seen. Still questionable for the match are Frank Lampard and Bosingwa.

The Gunners on the other hand have a trainer’s table full of impact players. The list is known and was added to this week when Kieran Gibbs suffered a broken metatarsil in the 93rd minute of the Champion’s League match against Standard de Liege.

If Arsenal want to be considered title contenders this is the match where they must stake their claim. While a loss doesn’t rule them out, an 11 point deficit at the start of December is a little bit of a hill to climb. Arsene thinks his side however are quite ready for the challenge:

“Everyone will look at the game to rate our potential, and I have no worries about that,” said Wenger. “We are ready for the game, are well focused, prepared and the confidence is good. We just want to focus on the game like we want to play it.

“It is a big test, yes – but that is what you want, to play these teams,” he added. “I think there is a period for any team to come out and show its strengths. For my team, this moment has come.

“We are not any more a team that has to be considered to be young. I think we have the strengths and we can show that on Sunday that we are strong enough to compete.” – courtesy the Guardian

The loss last week to Sunderland was the first time the Gunners were held scoreless this season and even so, they still lead all teams in goal scoring. 17 different players have scored from their matches and their is suitable enough talent to make up for the loss of Van Persie.

Arsenal will look to maintain their 100% record at home. Their scoring prowess has been especially keen at home where in their last 3 matches they have 12 goals. In their last 10 premier league London derbies, the Gunners have only lost once.

The match however will come down to matchups and two seem to be the most interesting. First will be Thomas Vermaelen/William Gallas versus Didier Drogba/Nicholas Anelka. Putting it simply Drogba is an Arsenal killer. This seems to be one of the matches he is up for every year. In recent memory the middle of the Arsenal defence has either been decimated from injuries or suffering from a lack of form. But whatever the case Drogba has been potent against Arsenal. His french counterpart Nicholas Anelka is playing in the form of his career having finally found the promise he showed early when he featured for Arsenal.

The Gunners duo of Gallas and Vermaelen have gone on to show that they are as solid a tandem as any in the league. Especially nice is the strength and mind of Thomas Vermaelen. His experience is years above his age. He is physical, smart and plays without fear of players. When signed there was concern that he would take time to acclimate to the rough and tumble of the Premier League but he has gone on to show that he is more than ready for it.

With Vermaelen’s form, Arsenal fans have seen a resurgence of William Gallas. It is now clear that there was indeed something to the disharmony between him and Kolo Toure. What it was is anyone’s guess but they just did not seem to click all the time. There has been little of that between Gallas and Vermaelen. Gallas though remains a question mark after taking Andrei’s Arshavin’s head to his eye. And in a display that surely made Gunners proud Gallas went back out and played until the lead was secure.

If the Gunners are going to shut down Chelsea attack Gallas and Vermaelen, with a little help from Alexander Song cloggin the middle, will have to make life miserable for Anelka and Drogba.

The other key matchup is the Arsenal attack against the Chelsea defence. True, Chelsea have gotten 4 clean sheets in the league. Also true they have already dispatched, Liverpool and United. But Liverpool are a shell of their former selves and in fairness the lone goal against United came after a dubious non-call. Arsenal are probably even with an injured Van Persie more potent attacks they have faced this season.

The Gunners will likely use their speed and creativity to try and take advantage of the Chelsea defence. Arshavin will be a key component in that attack pressing the right side of the Chelsea defence where they seem weakest. Both Arhsavin and Cesc Fabregas are the conduit by which all Arsenal attacks should flow from. Fabregas is making the case each week that he is arguably the best Midfielder in the Premier League if not Europe. The new reliance on the 4-3-3 has freed him up to control the game more. Plus the emergence of the Song and Denilson has meant he can roam with a little more freedom and know that their is a strong defensive pairing in the midfield.

Finally, the X factor is the Petr Cech is in my estimation not as solid as he has been. He has to bear some responsibility for the frailty on set pieces. And should Thomas Vermaelen get a hold of a Fabregas cross, I like the odds of the Belgian beating the Chelsea goal keeper. And then there is Manuel Almunia. In 7 league games he has let in 10 goals and made 10 saves. Maybe he isn’t seeing enough action to keep him involved in the game or maybe he just isn’t first team material. Either way he has been the weakest component of the Arsenal back.

Like Chelsea, Arsenal’s attack will need to remain patient and find the right opportunity to unlock Terry and crew. It should not be a game of looking for the most beautiful goal but the right opportunity. If its all broth and no meat then the Gunners will have issues. However, by clogging up the Chelsea midfield and pressing Ivanovic on the right, Arsenal could go a long way to securing a victory at home.

How I think It Will Play Out:

This is a difficult match to see out. Chelsea are in top form. Arsenal are a potent attack. Both in my opinion are weakest at Goal Keeper. Chelsea will play a patient waiting game, looking for the right opportunity to test Manuel Almunia. They will be happy with a 0-0 draw until late in the game. However, the Gunners should look to set the pace early on. Arsenal have not scored a goal in any match before the first 15 minutes. If they can do that an open up the game early, the play will fall into their preferred method. If it is a slow drudging test back and forth the match will favor the opportunistic Chelsea. Either way it’s either going to be a cracker of game or 90 minutes of our lives we will never get back again. I am leaning towards a cracker.

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Thomas Vermaelen. Arsenal have suffered at the foot of Didier Drogba and the Belgian defender will likely be tasked with preventing him from getting a clean shot on goal. Look for Vermaelen to try and match strength for strength as Drogba will try and muscle his way over and through the defender. This little battle could decide the match.

Chelsea: Nicholas Anelka. Former Arsenal starlet was tapped for stardom at 17 years old and two seasons with the Gunners. He makes his return in great form and will be looking to give Chelsea the silverware they want.

Probable Starting XI