EPL 2016/17: Chelsea vs Arsenal, 3 key battles

Wenger Conte
A battle for Premier League supremacy

Regardless of the league position and the form of both teams, Chelsea vs Arsenal has been one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Premier League season over the last decade.

Currently, the Blues sit atop the league table with a comfortable lead over rivals the Gunner who are nine points behind them. Arsene Wenger’s men suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Watford at home on Tuesday whereas the Blues managed to take away a vital point from Anfield on the same night.

And if the North London side are to have any hope of winning the league this season, they must aim for all three points at Stamford Bridge, while Antonio Conte’s well-disciplined Chelsea side will be hoping to take revenge for the defeat they suffered at the Emirates earlier this season.

Here, we take a look at three key battles which could potentially decide the outcome of this important game.


#1 N’Golo Kante vs Mesut Ozil

Kante has been one of the key reasons for Chelsea’s incredible run this season

Chelsea’s summer signing N’Golo Kante has quite easily been the best defensive midfielder in the league since the start of last season. The former Leicester man averages an astonishing 3.5 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game in his 22 appearances so far this season.In his most recent performance against Liverpool, he made an unbelievable 15 tackles – keeping the Reds’ attack at bay.

On the other hand, Mesut Ozil has not been at his best in the past couple of months, having been involved in only two goals in his last six league outings. Arsenal’s German maestro is, however, not a player to be underestimated as even on his worst day, Ozil’s vision and passing can change the result of any game.

The midfielder has been involved in nine goals so far this league season and although he has his critics, one can definitely expect the World Cup-winning player to show up in this all-important game. The 28-year-old average almost 3 key passes a game and he himself will be hoping that this is the game he silences his doubters – once again.

Against Liverpool, Kante was literally everywhere on the pitch and it was mostly due to his insane tackling and intercepting that Chelsea went home with one point. He gave little space to the Liverpool midfielders and as a result kept their passing and play in check. If the 25-year-old can replicate that against Arsenal, it is fair to say that Ozil and Co are in severe trouble.

Chelsea cannot allow Ozil to make his forward runs and passes, and as more often than not Arsenal’s game runs through him. And Kante will be vital in trying to stop the magical midfielder and greatly reduce his impact on the game.

#2 Diego Costa vs Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi

Diego Costa vs Laurent Koscielny
Two of Premier League’s finest will be up against each other

Although Costa did miss a penalty at Anfield, you can bet your bottom dollar that the mishap will not prevent the Spaniard from wreaking havoc on the Arsenal defence come kick-off time on Saturday.

With 15 goals to his name this league season and five more assists to go with it, Costa has been a treat to watch under Conte and his never-say-die attitude has helped Chelsea greatly this season. Moreover, the 28-year-old loves to play against Arsenal and has a history of impacting this fixture in a way that Didier Drogba would be proud of.

Costa has two goals against the Gunners and it was due to him that Gabriel and Per Mertesacker have been sent off in this fixture in the recent past. Fair to say that Arsenal do not like this man.

However, Costa will be up against the formidable duo of Koscielny and Mustafi, who for the most part of this season have been amazing whenever they’ve played against each other. Although the Arsenal defence did come undone against Watford a couple of days ago, Wenger’s go-to centre back pairing have been solid in most big games and will be hoping to continue their form from before their latest defeat.

Both Mustafi and Koscielny average over one tackle per game alongside 3.5 and 2.7 interceptions respectively. While stopping Costa is not easy even for the most experienced of defenders, these two stand a real chance of nullifying the forward’s threat. Emotions will also need to be kept in check as Costa is a menace both physically and mentally – a such, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.

#3 Alexis Sanchez vs David Luiz

Alexis Sanchez vs Chelsea
Alexis Sanchez will looking to carve out an opening for his side

To the surprise of almost everyone, David Luiz has been arguably Chelsea’s most consistent and confident defender this season. When the Brazilian returned to Stamford Bridge the past summer, not many had high expectations of him but in time, the Brazilian has proved all of his critics wrong. Most recently, he scored a brilliant goal against Liverpool and was aptly awarded the Man of the Match award in that game.

However, in this game, he will be up against one who no defender would currently like to face – Alexis Sanchez. With 15 goals (making him the joint-top scorer with Costa) and eight assists to his name. In fact, no player in the Premier League has been involved in more goals than Sanchez in the league and the Chilean is having a truly phenomenal season with the Gunners.

The 28-year-old has arguably been the best forward in the league this season and he assisted Arsenal’s only goal against Watford in his most recent outing. With his immense work rate and his great runs off the ball, Sanchez is a constant threat for any defence.

However, Luiz could be the immovable object that halts this unstoppable force. The Brazilian is taller than his fellow South American, better in the air and his pace means that he has a decent chance of marking and potentially stopping Sanchez in this game. Granted that it will be no easy task given how good Arsenal’s talisman has been, Luiz’s impressive stats which include 1.2 tackles and 5.4 clearances per game means that he just might be able to come out on top in this battle.

All in all, this game will be one worth watching and with so many individual encounters happening at the same time, Chelsea vs Arsenal promises to be a cracker that could very well decide the title race.

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Edited by Staff Editor