Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski
Log leaders Chelsea will face their biggest test yet when they travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal in a London derby of the utmost importance. Both sides are unbeaten this season and stand in good stead for their title aspirations.
The Gunners secured a point against champions Manchester City last Sunday and have already picked up convincing wins against Liverpool and Southampton, with manager Arsene Wenger insisting they can challenge for the title this season. After starting their campaign with goalless draws at home to Sunderland and away to Stoke, Arsenal raised their game, beating Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield, before hammering Southampton 6-1 and then drawing 1-1 away to the champions. It was Laurent Koscielny who earned Arsenal a deserved point after the Gunners found themselves behind in the 40th minute after dominating the first half, but Koscielny fired an unstoppable shot eight minutes from time. New signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla seem to have settled in to the Premier League giving Arseanal the edge in their counter-attacking that has been lacking for too long. Podolski has two league goals and along with Gervinho scored in The Gunners’ 2-1 Champions League win against French champions Montpellier. Young goalkeeper Vito Mannone will continue to deputise as Szczesny and Fabianski recover from injury while Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere continue to edge closer to full fitness.
Chelsea have started the new season quickly, with their win over Stoke last Saturday ensuring they remain at the top of the log with four wins and one draw. New signings Eden Hazard and Oscar have impressed so far as boss Roberto di Matteo attempts to implement a quicker brand of football than previously seen at Stamford Bridge. Oscar, Chelsea’s two goal hero from their Champions League draw against Juventus, kept his place in the starting XI against Stoke last weekend. However, Alongside Hazard and Juan Mata the trio had a tough time penetrating the resilient Stoke defence. Fernando Torres was once again ineffective and it took an unlikely hero in Ashley Cole to snatch the late victory five minutes from time. Chelsea’s two away matches so far have been a 2-0 win at Wigan and a goalless draw at QPR. They will need to improve on that last travel as The Gunners are playing some good football.
The Blues will be hoping that the wizardry of players like Hazard, Mata or Oscar can open up the home sides’ defence, which has been solid all season. Arsenal have conceded a miserly two goals in their five league matches, which is the joint best defensive record in the league, with Chelsea. The European champions failed to beat The Gunners last season, losing 5-3 at the Bridge and drawing 0-0 at this venue last time out. Chelsea have yet to play any of the big teams while Arsenal have shown their worth against Liverpool at Anfield and Manchester City, who beat Chelsea 3-2 in the Community Shield, at the Etihad.
Back Arsenal to build on their last home match where they thrashed Southampton and record a victory here.
