2010 Premier League Showdown: Chelsea Vs Arsenal Preview

Chelsea have not lost at home in the Premier League since February 2010 to Man City, which they once again lost to again, last week-end. Now if that's not impressive enough, the next loss which we can trace back to, is November 2008 which ended 2-1 to Arsenal. Everything about these stats tell you it will be difficult for Arsenal to break past this Chelsea team.

Arsenal, similar to Chelsea, lost their first game of the season last week, to West Brom. Not the typical team you expect to beat Arsenal. Both Arsenal and Chelsea bounced back in mid-week to take all 3 points in the Champions league.

On the backlash of the game, Arsenal are coming into this with several injuries;
Almunia (elbow), Bendtner (groin), Fabregas (hamstring), Frimpong (knee), Gibbs (calf), Ramsey (broken leg), Van Persie & Walcott (both ankle), Vermaelen (Achilles)
 
Now the big names in that list, Fab, RVP and Walcott will truly be missed. The soul fact that Fabregas will be out the game, raises a big question mark whether Arsenal can finish off a team like Chelsea. The bright side of this, is if the rest of the team can come together and for everyone to step up and fight not just for the team, but for the fans.

As for Chelsea's point of view;
 Benayoun (calf), Bosingwa (knee), Kalou (thigh), Lampard (groin)

The only big miss in that list will be Lampard. He can control the midfield, and allow the play to run to Drogba, who will return after missing their mid-week game through suspension. Once "The Drog" has the ball, he dribbles inside the nightmares of the Arsenal defenders, lets just hope our new defenders have a barrier in front of their nightmares, Because once he gets into that territory, he is a force which cannot be stopped.

Frightening Stats for the Arsenal Fans: 
 
"Chelsea have lost only two of the previous 17 matches against Arsenal in all competitions, and have won the last four meetings."

"Chelsea have scored nine goals in their last three games against Arsenal, conceding only one goal."

However those stats tell a story about the old Arsenal, we entered this season with strong hopes (as always) however, we have had a few changes. The introduction of Squillaci and Koscielny have toughened up the back four. This season we have seen Arsenal's new more fierce style of play while carrying on the magic of their unique style. We have seen them keep right up with Chelsea in terms of being able to put 4 or 6 past small teams in the premier league (ignoring last week's defeats).

        Arsenal Predicting XI                                                
                                                        Fabienski 
                                      
                                        Sagna  Squillaci Koscielny  Clichy
                                                                
                                                              Song  
                                                  Diaby         
                                                                    Wilshere

                                              Nasri                 Arshavin
                                                         Chamakh

 This prediction could be criticized I understand, however the midfield will be a hard decison on whether to start with Denilson or Eboue, which then changes the positions of Nasri and Wilshere. However, as we all know whatever Arsene chooses will be (hopefully) the best for the team. Fabienski will start the game as Almunia is ruled out by injury, and a poor game against West Brom, which to be fair cost us the game.

The Combination of Arshavin and Chamakh will be new to Chelsea as Arsenal are now using the advantage of Height in the box. It will also be nice to see the test Chamakh faces against Terry and Alex.

It will also be nice for the fans to see whether Nasri is able to handle the midfield and defence of Chelsea, as well as he has handled the rest of the Premier so far. Lets hope he still has the consistency of his last two games in which he scored 2 goals.

Chelsea Predicting XI

                                           Cech
            
                    Ivanovic        Terry   Alex    Cole
                
                    Zhircov      Mikel     Essien
                                                          Malouda
                           Anelka
                                             Drogba
              
...A team which to be honest with you in simple words, Can take you down! If Arsenal do not take control of this game, and think they can play magic against Chelsea like they do against other teams, will simply get hit in the face.

Arsenal have to take a tactical approach to this game in a more defencive and Counter Attacking, rather than Hitting them from the front at the very start. They should hope to personally get close with Drogba throughout the game and let him not one inch of space.

The Game

I believe Arsene will go into this game,better tactically prepared than other games. Arsenal will counter attack Chelsea but also remain focus on defending. I truly believe these players are now ready to challenge the top teams even without the likes of Fabregas and Van Persie and Walcott. If the players have an up day, then 100% we are ready to take points from this game.
 
However, if the Chelsea players are also up for this, this game could turn into a bit of a hurricaine. These players on their day can truly demolish you apart.

I Don't think it will be a high scoring game at half time, but if both teams go for it within the last 20 or so minutes i recon we could see a few goals fly in.

Overall Prediction

My Brain tells me:     Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal

My Heart tells me :    Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal