Chelsea v Arsenal
This weekend the English Premier League serves up another tantalizing Super Sunday. The London derby will kick-off things with Chelsea hosting Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s impressive win at the Britannia last weekend moved them to third place, seven points clear of Arsenal, who lost to champions Manchester City.
Chelsea’s results so far this year make topsy-turvy reading. Two home defeats, both unexpected, against QPR and Swansea, and two away wins by four-goal margins at Southampton and Stoke. Some significance can be read into the last at the Britannia, as it emphatically ended the last home unbeaten record in all four English divisions. Two own goals from Stoke City midfielder Jonathan Walters set Chelsea on their way to a 4-0 victory that gave under-fire interim manager Rafael Benitez some respite. Frank Lampard’s penalty and a fine Eden Hazard goal added to the two own goals. Benitez again stuck with one up front, but this time opted for Demba Ba over Fernando Torres, a wiser choice with the poor-performing Spaniard doing Benitez no favours in recent matches. Chelsea face a key 10-day period, starting with their rearranged Premier League game at home to Southampton on Wednesday, followed by this match on Sunday and then the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea three days later. Skipper John Terry, who had been sidelined for two months with a knee injury, provided The Blues with a huge boost by coming on with 11 minutes to go against Stoke. While Lampard continues to play with such authority and influence despite Chelsea not showing positive signs to renew the 34-year-olds contract.
Arsenal are without a victory this year after losing 2-0 to Manchester City at the Emirates last weekend. Arsenal remain in sixth place after that loss which could largely be blamed on centre-back Laurent Koscielny. The Gunners were forced to play with a man disadvantage for 80 minutes after Koscielny was sent-off for hauling down Edin Dzeko in the penalty area – although the Bosnian striker missed the resulting penalty. From there Arsenal never looked like they could win the game and City made the most of their one man advantage with goals from James Milner and Eden Dzeko shortly after. Arsenal’s results this year started with draws at Southampton and Swansea before this home loss to City. Before this match they will host Swansea on Wednesday in a third round replay of that 2-2 result at the Liberty Stadium. Theo Walcott is statistically the Gunners’ most productive player so far this season with 15 goals and 6 assists in all competitions and it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger continues with him as a striker or gives Olivier Giroud a start here. Midfielder Mikel Arteta missed the Man City clash and could be out for three weeks with a calf injury. Jack Wilshere had an impressive game against City but clearly lacked the support of his midfield partner Arteta.
A Robin van Persie inspired Arsenal won this match 5-3 last season, with the former Gunner bagging a hat-trick. However, with Arsenal drawing their last two away matches against lower ranked opposition it looks a much tougher task at the Bridge this time. Chelsea won the first round match 2-1 at the Emirates back in September and are tipped to pull the double over their local rivals here.
