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This is it. The big one. The one we’ve all been waiting for. So much rests on the outcome of this match and I’m not talking about who will win the league.
Bar a capitulation of Titanic proportions, Chelsea will win the Premier League and who could deny they deserve it? They’ve been the most consistent team in the league and have done what all title winning sides need to do and picked up points in games they’ve scarcely deserved it. What truly rests on this match is likely the fate of Arsenal next season and the end of this one.
This side will be the 13th Arsène Wenger has sent into battle with Mourinho’s troops and, so far, not once has he emerged the victorious General. There have been some closely fought contests, but Mourinho has always managed to snatch a victory or stalemate in each of their encounters. The worst defeat of all coming in Wenger’s 1000th match as Arsenal manager – a match we would all like to forget.
Arsenal have been in stunning form in terms of results. However, they eked over the line in their last two matches so mentally the outcome of this duel could determine how well they fare in the rest of the domestic campaign.
A win would do wonders for Arsenal as it would break a 12 match hoodoo, help consolidate second place and prove to the team, and to the league, that Arsenal are capable of winning the league. There is also the additional bonus of making things uncomfortable for Chelsea who will need to wait a while longer to secure the title.
Finishing second, as close to Chelsea as possible, has to be Arsenal’s first priority. It has been a decade since Arsenal finished second and the leap from second to first is much smaller than the leap from fourth to second.
“We have been good [when defending] counter-attacks, but Chelsea have been the most efficient team on them. Maybe as well they play a bit more for that.” – Arsene Wenger
A strong league finish would put Arsenal in a great frame of mind for the FA Cup final in 5 weeks time and beating Chelsea is paramount to that. If we beat Chelsea I am confident Arsenal will win all of their remaining league games and would face Villa on the back of a 14-match winning streak.
Both sides will be missing key personnel for this match with Diego Costa and Per Mertesacker facing late fitness tests.
Chelsea are an incredibly patient team and will set out to frustrate Arsenal. The battle will be won and lost in the minds of the players. Arsenal cannot allow Chelsea to get under their skin and must display the sort of patience and swift attacking ability that has seen them win 17 of their last 20 matches.
How glorious it would be to watch Arsène Wenger walk away with 3 points to leave Mourinho to sweat.
Arsenal from; Ospina, Szczesny, Debuchy, Bellerin, Gibbs, Monreal, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Koscielny, Chambers, Rosicky, Wilshere, Flamini, Coquelin, Özil, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck, Walcott, Giroud.
PREDICTED LINE-UP: Ospina, : Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Özil, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Giroud
I expect to see substitute appearances from Welbeck, Gibbs and Walcott.
LAST 3 MEETINGS
- Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal (05.10.2014)
- Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal (22.03.2014)
- Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea (23.12.2013)
FORM GUIDE
Arsenal in Last 5 matches: WWWWW
Chelsea in Last 5 matches: WWWWD
OPPOSITION WATCH
The last few weeks has seen Mourinho’s side play with ruthless efficiency. They’ve not won a Premier League match by more than one goal since mid-January and Chelsea managed just one shot on target against QPR a fortnight ago whilst Manchester United dominated possession at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Are Chelsea running out of steam? As an Arsenal fan I sincerely hope so but somehow Chelsea have the ability to grind out results and almost always seem to know where Arsenal’s vulnerabilities are. At their clinical best they are hard to beat but it is the gritty end of season Mourinho sides that worry me most.
There would be a huge psychological benefit to adding Chelsea to our season scalps of City, United and Liverpool but a Chelsea win is pretty much handing them the title. It would not quite be the end of it but it would almost certainly be within a game or two.
FACTFILE
- Arsenal have not scored against Chelsea in their last 4 meetings
- Arsenal have the highest 2015 EPL points tally of any team (33)
- Chelsea last lost at Arsenal in 2010
- Arsenal have won their last 9 home matches
- It has been over a year since Arsenal last failed to score at home in the league
- Giroud has 10 goals in his last 12 matches
- Mourinho managed sides have not lost to Arsenal in 12 previous matches
- Chelsea have scored first in 20 of their matches this season
- Arsenal haven’t dropped points at home since November
PREDICTION
I think it is going to be a really bitty game. Chelsea will set up to defend the 0-0 and hope for a decent counter-attacking opportunity. If Arsenal set up how they did in October, which worked well against City and Liverpool this calendar year, I think they could steal this match.
I think it will be 13th time lucky for Arsenal. 2-0 with Giroud and Alexis scoring the goals.
