Lucky Chelsea will play Arsenal without van Persie and Bendt
All the action
By Boris Mellor
November 27 2009
A while back I remember some Arsenal fans getting excited that Drogba and Lampard might not play. I also remember replying let's wait and see, as injured players have a habit of recovering just before they meet the Gunners. On this occasion they have recovered just after missing the exertions of the international break - how lucky is that eh?
In the meanwhile Arsenal have lost RvP (for five months), Bendtner, Gibbs and possibly Gallas. Without a doubt the first three will not be appearing. I am hopeful that Gallas will play, as Wenger is awful at maths. Fifty-fifty means almost certainly will play in his calculations.
Best Attack v Best Defence
Last season RvP and Bendtner both scored against Chelsea, for this game Arshavin, Fabregas or perhaps Walcott will have to step up. This match is billed as the best attack (Arsenal) against the best defence. When Arsenal first started accumulating their record number of goals, at this stage of the Premiership, some pundits complained that only the midfielders were scoring, I won't mind if that is what happens on Sunday.
It took RvP awhile to adjust to the new formation, but once he adapted the goals and assists rolled in. Arsenal have had two games without him and it's now up to players like Eduardo, Vela, and Walcott to show they can hack it. There is no better game for them to stake their claim than this.
I have a theory that Arsenal always plays best against Chelsea and Man U when both Song and Denilson start together. I hope that is how Wenger lines up for this match.
Senderos, and Toure to a lesser extent, have always found Drogba a handful, indeed any centre back in the Premiership does. This will be a very big test for Vermaelen. Indeed he will not be able to afford the lapse he had at Sunderland. Anelka will also be a danger, I feel that he often plays better when Drogba is out of the team. However, Ancelotti has got the two playing well together by playing two up front rather than three.
The full backs will have to ensure they push Anelka wide all the time so he cannot get in any angled long shots. Gallas and Tommy Gun will have to keep tight on Drogba, and Anelka when he drifts in. The whole team must defend better than they have from corners and free kicks. They give away too many free headers.
However Chelsea are not invincible they have lost against poorer teams than Arsenal already this season. Meanwhile Arsenal have played eleven at home, won eleven and scored 35 goals. Very few teams attack Chelsea the way Arsenal do, and that's why the Gunners have a better record against them than most teams.
As long as Arsenal take their chances and doesn't lose concentration this is one they should win. Indeed Wenger is chipper about the game, he knows it's a big test, but he feels his team is now mature enough to pass it.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:11:30:07:55:07 by Padre Pio.
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
if we are to get anything from this game, our players have to play as a tight unit.defend as a unit and attack as a unit.maximum concerntration;this is not a game were players are left for others to take care of,its a game players work for one another.its not a matter of asharvin,fab to step it up,its game were the whole team must step up to the challenge.but if they manage and play the game of their lives against chelski and mess up again against mid table team or relegation bound teams then we are back to square one.
Can We Now Trust The Process 🤔🤷🏿♀️ or Should We Still Remain Cautious 🙇🏿♀️
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
Try reading it again
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.