Arsenal-Chelsea Preview: Shades of Red and Blue!

With just over seven miles between Arsenal and Chelsea , just what is the real distance between London's biggest two?

An apt poser as we preview a clash of such massive proportions, made all the more so following last weekend's embarrassingly timid defeat at the Stadium of Light.

Over the past few years, we could argue that the distance between the two clubs was far more than just a bit of mileage across town, or a simple shade of red vs. blue. It's simply been far more than distance and local bragging rights.

For me it was all a question of "p's". That's right. Chelsea had the power, perspicacity (that's the best "p" word I could think of for experience, sorry), practicality and pragmatism.

The pots to show for it in the trophy cabinet at the end of the season on a consistent basis. Most importantly, and probably the predisposition to all of this, Chelsea had the pennies, and still do, although the recession has left Mr. Abramovich licking his wounds somewhat considerably.

As for Arsenal, it was all about just the one "p" I'm afraid: potential.

For many weeks now, the debate has been raging over when this now-dreaded term would turn into real material, finally vindicating Wenger's long-sighted vision.

Indeed, the manager and players themselves have acknowledged several times over that this is a season of reckoning.

And one big step towards proving that we are more than just potential obligates us to come out on top come Sunday evening.

Not because we're at home, nor because we lost last week, nor even because we got two consecutive bullyings from the table-toppers last time out.

But simply because this was meant to be our time, remember? And until last weekend, things were going exactly (well almost exactly) to plan.

Indeed, Arsenal v. Chelsea has been as damaging for my pride and personal machismo as it has been for our title prospects in recent years.

With a Chelsea fanatic of a best mate either side of me (metaphorically at the moment by the way), both "Tommy Boi" and Ian "Delgado" agree that it'll all be about the midfield cometh the hour.

Add my voice to theirs, and probably the voice of every other Gooner and Blues supporter.

Despite Chelsea 's adoption of a near-Arsenalistic approach under Ancelotti this season; and it seems to actually be working, unlike under "Big Phil" Scolari, Chelsea are still capable of doing what they did best on their way to the glut of trophies alluded to earlier.

Midfield stifling, efficient engine rooms, and a physicality that had always paid dividends. Especially in the big games. Especially in the big games against Arsenal.

For us to come out on top, we will need to cope with the likes of Essien and Ballack, as well as stop the equally-powerful Lampard from playing (who will blatantly start). Which brings me on to Alex Song .

With all the justified plaudits, and his recent transformation into a tough-tackling, tactically astute combative enforcer, we can finally claim to have a match for Chelsea 's "bison" in Essien, although experience is obviously on the latter's side.

With Song's tendency to "sit" in the midfield, allowing Cesc and Co. to turn it on, we might just have a match to Chelsea 's defensive midfield-Lampard free role combo.

With us representing Didier Drogba's favourite team, preventing the link-up play from Chelsea 's narrow, yet effective playmaking force; a force most likely to be provided by the improved Deco, with Joe Cole a more than effective impact player, will be of paramount importance. This will also involve the pinpoint concentration of our defence.

Now, don't get me wrong, Vermaelen has proved a shrewd acquisition, and in him we will have someone to stand up to the battering ram qualities of our tormentor-in-chief, alongside Gallas (who should play provided he sorts his contact lenses out).

At the other end of the pitch, Chelsea are goddamn lucky not to be facing Robin van Persie . A crying shame as it is, we have more than adequate replacements for that central frontman's role, the most obvious of which is Eduardo .

Now, whilst I was last seen waxing lyrical over the credentials of the Brazilian-born, I somehow feel that he is not quite on top form at the moment, with an appearance from the bench as my shout.

My personal tip would be Theo Walcott , who although is a big shout to start anyway, should be given a chance to impress in the central role.

Whilst he might not exactly fulfil the physical requirements I harked on about earlier, his pace and trickery can be put to good use against a central defence pairing and goalkeeper perhaps not quite as invincible as they were once perceived to be.

So, a big game needed for the big occasion, where each and every move will count, and where there is no room for error.

A true six-pointer, where a victory will put us right in the mix on the way to eradicating the curse of the "potential," and where a defeat will go a long way into consigning us to yet another season of Premier League underachievement and capital inferiority.

And, as the boys in blue ready themselves to hitting N5 under the stewardship of Italy's very own rendition of comedian Michael McIntyre (brilliantly spotted Tommy Boi), it is time to stand up and be counted, safe in the knowledge that for all their brilliant form, Chelsea can and will be beaten through the course of the season, with Sunday presenting a perfect opportunity.

A day that will go a long way in determining just who will have the last laugh...