Arteta and his men travel to Stamford Bridge for the Chelsea vs Arsenal fixture tonight. The Blues will be looking to complete the Premier League double over their visitors, having won 2-1 in the reverse fixture at the Emirates last month.
The last time these two sides met at the Emirates, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea were guilty of theft, after Tammy Abraham converted from Willian’s pass three minutes from time. Arsenal had looked good value for three points in Mikel Arteta’s first game in charge at home but they lacked the grit and determination to hang on, predictably disintegrating in the final stages of the game.
The equaliser was galling. Jorginho, who was lucky to still be on the pitch had a simple tap in (83) from Mount’s free kick, as Leno flapped aimlessly at the clouds.
The truth is that Chelsea got out of jail thanks to Arsenal handing them the key but since then, the side fancied to make top four have made a hash of it and looked less than impressive.
Arsenal under Arteta are rebuilding at all levels, with the Spaniard increasing the intensity of individual performances, as well as implementing a solid team ethic. It hasn’t yielded the results that Arteta has deserved and with Arsenal running out of time to pull off a series of decent additions, the Spanish coach may have to rely on what he already has.
It’s no secret that Arsenal have dumped their ambition for this season and prefer stop gap, cheap loans and budget purchases, with a number of deals in the balance.
The Arsenal coach has put huge emphasis on a win in the Chelsea vs Arsenal game at Stamford Bridge, if the gunners are to crawl into forth but let’s be realistic here, the points are needed to get out of the impending relegation dogfight. We can all worry about the fluffy stuff next season.
“It’s very, very important for us to win this game to fight for [the top four],”
“The game we played at home could have made a big difference and we were very close to it. Tomorrow we need to win.”
Arteta could actually pull off a win because Chelsea at present are not exactly extraordinary. They are one of a number of top clubs that are in the doldrums and even a few lavish purchases might not be enough. Recent managerial departures appear to have left behind a trail of lasting damage which Lampard is slowly trying to repair.
Arteta wants this win in the ARSENAL VS CHELSEA fixture more than anything at the moment, after a series of frustrating draws and it will act as a platform going forwards. No doubt Arsenal’s success will depend on their ability to hold their shape, challenge whilst out of possession and to defend stoutly. There won’t be any major surprises in the bulk of Arsenal’s line up with the usual faces comprising key areas.
Mustafi looks likely to partner David Luiz at the back, although I would love to see Zech Medley get a run out after training with the first team. It would be a risk but would it be any more of a risk than including the shattered German, who’s confidence in his own ability must be at an all time low. He put in a shift after replacing Sokratis against Sheffield, but he is immensely fragile on occasions and even the soothing words of Arteta aren’t enough to make up for years of magnified and costly mistakes.
Arsenal also need to find a way to be able to score and then see a game out. They have been clueless in regards of closing a game down ever since George Graham’s departure. Wenger was allergic to defending and would rather try to outscore his opponent rather than build a barricade, whereas Emery was simply inept. Arteta will have to somehow find a balance in the next two seasons where his side can win games outright or find the resolve to hang on.
Chelsea, post Hazard, lack the class they once had and the ability to pluck a win out of thin air. They seem flat without him and more one dimensional and the failure to replace him has cost the club dearly. How Lampard must regret Chelsea’s decision to cast aside Kevin De Bruyne, another monumental error of judgement.
The Chelsea vs Arsenal contest will see Willian and Abraham pose the biggest threat for the hosts. Whilst Arsenal supporters will be looking forward to another performance from Gabriel Martinelli, who has taken to the premiership like a duck to water.
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The key men for Arsenal could well be Lucas Torreira, who will need to break up the play and push the gunners forward and David Luiz, who’s form has drastically improved in defence. If a leader was needed, the shouty kind, that organises players, then Luiz is it. He’s never quiet and can be seen signalling and pointing throughout, so in Aubameyang’s absence, why not ?
Preferred Line-up For The Chelsea vs Arsenal Game :-
Leno; Maitland Niles, Luiz, Medley, Saka; Torreira, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli; Lacazette.
Probable Team For The Chelsea Vs Arsenal Game :-
Leno; Maitland Niles, Luiz, Sokratis/Mustafi, Saka; Torreira, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli; Lacazette
Expected score : 3-1 Arsenal
