Match Preview: Arsenal v Chelsea; Time to break that Mou Voodoo

It’s time for the weekend’s cap off. After a plethora of unexciting matches and a Vincent Kompany wonder own goal, it’s the match that matters to all of us. It’s Arsenal v Chelsea.  It’s time for Arsenal to see the results that went completely against them over the weekend and decide if the run up till now has just been good fortune or is it a statement of something bigger. They need this match to let everyone know if they are truly indeed in this title race.

Depending on spin and who you want to believe you may be of the ilk that Arsenal have yet to win against a big team this season. That means you’d only focus on United and City and while the City match could’ve gotten even more out of hand, the United match we never were truly out of and I still feel we deserved more out of. However, I digress. Now if your league view is a little more expansive you will include Liverpool and to some extent Tottenham in the “big club” group simply because they are considered contenders for a top 4 finish. Then Arsenal have vanquished them handidly.

Either way, whatever happens against Chelsea goes along way to proving a point for everyone. If Arsenal were to lose to Chelsea people would focus in on two thing s- 1. Arsenal are sliding again and 2. they can’t beat big teams (ignoring the current press imposed positions of Liverpool and Tottehnam – as well as Dortmund and Napoli.)

The match isn’;t easy. Going head to head against Jose Mourinho  hasn’t been something that Arsene Wenger has done well. Let’s just be honest – he’s been awful in matches played against Jose Arsene’s sides are 0W 4D 5L. Ugh. Since Jose left Arsenal have experience better luck as the other managers tried to get Chelsea to play more openly.

Things haven’t gone great for Chelsea this season as they struggle to play. They’ve been up and down all season so far. One minute they look like classic Chelsea under Mourinho and other’s they look slow and devoid of any creativity. I am not sure anyone had this in mind when Jose came back.  It’s been speculated that part of the issue is that Abramovich really wants an open, playing team where Jose’s hallmark as been defensive , counter attacking play. It’s how he got the best of Arsenal all those years, that and having everyone’s worst nightmare (especialy ours) Didier Drogba.

Well, Drogba is gone. Chelsea have 3 strikers that have managed 4 goals this season alone. Their defense once a trademark of their title winning sides  has aged and look unable to cope with speedy, creative players at time. Then there are moments that remind they are still Chelsea.

You have to think as an Arsenal supporter, like I do that now more than ever is the right time to take something from Chelsea. And by taking something I mean all 3 points. While a draw wouldn’t be a bad result. a win would mean so much more. It moves Arsenal back up the top of the table with easier games coming even though they come fast and furious. It also reasserts Arsenal’s title winning credentials after such a poor showing last week. And it finally breaks Arsene’s duck versus Jose Mourinho.

Some will point to the season’s earlier Capital One Clash, that Jose still holds sway over Arsene. But even as Jose says himself, it’s a different match, a different level of focus and a different team his Chelsea will be facing. Arsenal have managed every time they’ve been questioned this season to answer the critics. They went on their tear to the top after losing to Villa. They tore of 3 wins a row after losing to United. They had a horrendous week by the standards set this season. They drew to Everton, lost to Napoli and City. Not the best one of the season for sure.

But if they win against Chelsea today, then all of that is forgot. If they win it will just (hopefully) turn the page on last week and remind everyone that Arsenal whatever everyone else wants to say are a good team this year. I’ve always said that Arsenal likely will not win the league this season. Especially after watching City. Arsenal can surely challenge for it. But I think they still need a year to keep the mentality their developing building.  It took City two seasons once they got the bulk of the squad they wanted to win it. They had to take the FA Cup first and then built on that. I think the FA Cup presents the best chance for this squad. And I don’t mean that in any defeatest way. I just think their is a natural progression to winning. You build on it. It doesn’t come instantly. And frankly when it does come instantly it’s usually fleeting.

No, Arsenal need to establish this kind of form as routine. That’s winners do. That’s why today is huge in the larger scheme of things. It continues on the theme of the season. To me this season even with the addition of Özil was about turning the corner. We used money to effect this summer. We have an established core of players in their mid-20s that are growing together and learning to win together. It’s all the staples of a winning team.

Chelsea present Arsenal with a perfect opportunity to once again convince it’s doubters – within and out of the club that they are for real. Arsenal see the squad continue to get back to health as Lukas Podolski returns providing more options out wide and up top. Jack Wilshere gets a much needed rest and time to refocus his head after giving the 1 fingered salute to City supporter. Laurent Koscielny is likely still out with the gash below his knee still healing. More importantly than who is available is that it’s been 9 days since Arsenal last played.

We looked ragged and dead in the final 10 or so against City. 9 days is an eternity in a football season. It felt on one level like an interlull. But without a winterbreak like some may be used to – that nine days is perfect heading into this week. You can see what Liverpool look like devoid of any European challenges.  But this 9 days of rest in a crucial period and given that Chelsea played in the mid week, it’s got be used to Arsenal’s advantage. Arsenal need to play a game at a tempo similar to what they did when Napoli came calling early the Champion’s League season.

Arsenal’s high pressure and tempo took it’s toll immediately on Napoli. Jose isn’t going to attack in the way that City attacked us. He’ll likely set out to sit back and try and take out Arsenal on the counter. All this means is that Arsenal are going to have to make their chances count and would benefit from testing Cech early and often rather than trying to fitter around the edge of the box looking for the perfect pass.

When we do lose the ball we need to get back quickly to want the ball back immediately and not give the chance to Chelsea to get the counter going.  When Arsenal have been brilliant its when the whole facet of their game are working in tandem (kind of obvious isn’t it) they need to press on defense get the ball back in the Chelsea end and use their creativity and speed to their advantage.

There is so much at stake here for both teams. It will really come down to which one wants it more.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal. Bacary Sagna. He draws the task of taking on Eden Hazard. If Sagna can keep him quiet and not let him get behind him, one of Chelsea’s best scoring avenues is cut off.

Chelsea. Eden Hazard. Next to the revitalized John Terry, Hazard has been Chelsea’s best player under Jose. He is the league’s best dribbler and the team’s leading scorer and assist maker.

Probable Lineups:

Injuries & suspensions:
Arsenal:  Wilshere (suspended -2) Diaby (knee),  Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Sanogo (back)

Chelsea: Essien (suspended), Bertrand (knock), Van Ginkel (knee)

Match Official:
Referee: Mike Dean (Matches: 11. R2 Y36 PK 2)
Assistants: Collin, Brooks
Fourth Official: Moss

Head to Head:

Broadcast Information:
US: NBC Sports Network 3:00 PM EST

UK:  Sky Sports 1 20.00 GMT

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Chelsea: 2

Match Facts (courtesy FourFourTwo)

• Arsenal won nine and lost none of their first 13 Premier League home games against Chelsea but have won just two and lost four of the last eight.
• Chelsea have won eight and lost just two of the last 11 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions
• Jose Mourinho has never lost against Arsene Wenger as an opposition manager (W5 D4 L0).
• Juan Mata has scored in each of his four starts against Arsenal in all competitions for Chelsea.
• Chelsea have taken 11 points away from the Emirates Stadium, the joint-best haul of any team in the Premier League since the Gunners moved from Highbury (along with Aston Villa).
• Theo Walcott scored his first ever Arsenal goal against Chelsea in the 2007 Carling Cup final and has since netted in three Premier League games against the Blues.
• Chelsea have had 11 different managers since Arsene Wenger was appointed and 12 in total with Mourinho’s second spell. Jose Mourinho will be the fifth different manager Arsene Wenger has faced in the last six Chelsea v Arsenal fixtures.
• Arsenal have not gone three Premier League fixtures without a win since January 2013; the third of those games was against Chelsea

Tell us your thoughts on today’s Arsenal match up? What’s the score? Who do you think will lineup for Arsenal?