Football Update: Arsenal vs. Chelsea- Preview –Clash of the Titans?
Indeed it is the clash of the titans. Two most successful clubs of London will be face to face for the bragging rights at the Emirates Stadium on Monday. Last time, in the same fixture of this season, it was Chelsea who thrashed Arsenal by three goals but
at Stamford Bridge. Since then much has changed, Chelsea dropped points in their last 6 matches and are currently placed fourth in the league. However, the hosts are sitting third in the Premier League standings with 32 points under their belt.
Finally Ready?
The north London giants might be relieved this crucial game against Chelsea did not fall on Boxing Day, as Arsenal are regularly criticised for not being up for a fight against the top four teams of Barclays Premier League.
Nowhere has that been more obvious than in the biggest games, which Arsene Wenger and his men have conspicuously failed to win in recent times. Arsenal lost both their matches against their closest title rivals, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Yet again, Arsenal started this campaign in a similar manner and were defeated by both Manchester United and Chelsea, earlier in this season. Arsenal shocking one nil defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United was disappointing, however, the Gunner
can get back on track with a psychologically important win over Chelsea at Emirates Stadium tonight.
Unfortunately, the Gunners’ home form has not been impressive this term. If Arsene Wenger and his men were to lose against Chelsea tonight, it would be the first time since 1996-97 Arsenal had lost four games at home, and the earliest they reached the mark
since the start of Barclays Premier League. Arsenal may have scored the most home goals of any club so far this season, but they have also conceded the most - something that will not have escaped the Blues’ attention.
This is the 175th match between the two giants of London and the Gunners will be desperate to ensure it is the memorable one.
Hoping to beat another to get back into shape
Carlo Ancelloti and his men have picked only three points from their last four matches, a disappointing haul they will be hoping to double come tonight. Moreover, Chelsea have great record against their all London rivals, as the Blues have managed to win their
last five matches against them. Furthermore, Chelsea have only lost two of the last 18 meeting against other clubs of London.
Not that it has been all plain sailing in recent weeks for Chelsea, as they have seen their five-point lead atop the table quickly disintegrate. Defeat at Emirates against Arsenal tonight, and Chelsea could find themselves six points behind the leaders Manchester
United — a worrying position to be in even at this time of the season.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Frank-Lampard-c14097, and prolific striker, Didier Drogba. The English midfielder of Chelsea will be named in the team sheet for the first time since the late August.
However, all eyes would be on the African striker of the Blues, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044. The Ivorian skipper has been out of form in recent times. Drogba missed few games after suffering from Malaria back in November. Didier came as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspurs
and scored to level the game at White Hart Lane. However, he failed to convert the penalty in the injury time against Spurs.
Moreover, Didier’s form against Arsenal has been really good. He has scored 13 goals against Arsene Wenger and his men in last 11 matches. The Ivorian skipper opened the scoring for the Premier League champions against Arsenal back in November at Stamford
Bridge, which Chelsea comfortably won by three goals.
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