Chelsea Vs Arsenal: 10 Things You Need To Know About Sunday's Big Premier League Showdown
Stamford: The standout game of the weekend's Premier League schedule takes place at Stamford Bridge, where early pace-setters (and – let...
http://www.africaeagle.com/2014/10/chelsea-vs-arsenal-10-things-you-need.html
Stamford: The standout game of the weekend's Premier League schedule takes place at Stamford Bridge, where early pace-setters (and – let's be honest here – future champions) Chelsea host Arsenal.
The Gunners' confidence will have been boosted by a fine victory over Galatasaray in midweek, but they will be under no illusions over the size of the task at hand having been shellacked in this fixture last season.
1. When is the match? Sunday. 2.05pm. Because those five minutes make all the difference to ad revenue, apparently.
2. What channel is it on? Sky Sports 1. The programme starts at 1pm.
3. Team news Chelsea: Brazilian midfielder Ramires has been ruled out by Jose Mourinho, as has Didier Drogba. Everyone else is available.
Arsenal: Quite a big injury list for the Gunners, as is the norm. Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta are definitely out, joining Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy, Serge Gnabry and Yaya Sanogo in the treatment room. Nacho Monreal could feature after recovering from a back injury, however.
4. Reasons for Chelsea fans to be optimistic Chelsea have scored with 26 per cent of their shots this season, the best chance conversion in the Premier League. Arsenal have won none of their last 14 Premier League meetings against Chelsea, Man United or Man City (W0 D7 L7). Jose Mourinho has never lost as an opposition coach against Arsene Wenger in any competition.
5. Reasons for Arsenal fans to be optimistic Arsenal have lost just one of their last 14 Barclays Premier League games since defeat at Stamford Bridge in March. Arsenal have won away at Stamford Bridge more often than any other visiting side in the Premier League.
6. The key man There's going to be a bit of a love-in between Arsenal fans and Cesc Fabregas on Sunday. The Spain midfielder admitted not so long ago that the Gunners hold a special place in his heart, while Arsene Wenger urged supporters to give him "a respectful welcome". Fabregas has made a superb start to life at Chelsea, setting up six goals in his first six league games and linking up brilliantly with Diego Costa. It would be no surprise if he came back to haunt Arsenal, who opted not to go back in for him this summer.
7. Last five league meetings Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal (March 2014) Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea (December 2013) Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal (January 2013) Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (September 2012) Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea (April 2012).
8. Quote corner John Terry on Chelsea's new boys: "Cesc has been here [playing in England] before so he knew what to expect, and he’s hit the ground running. With Diego, strikers can take months and months [to adapt] but he’s scored eight goals already, which is superb, that’s great for us." Arsene Wenger on Arsenal's 6-0 loss last term: "It was of course a very bad memory, but football is not made of history, it is made of performance and performance in the next game that counts. That is what we want to do.”
9. Simon Bird's prediction Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal: It is hard to back look past Chelsea this season because they look the complete side, with few weaknesses and so many options. This will be a fierce battle, but you always fancy Chelsea to shut up shop and kill a game if they get ahead. 10. The top of the Premier League Chelsea is ahead of Arsenal with six points. With Chelsea having 16points and Arsenal 10points.
Source: Standard Media
The Gunners' confidence will have been boosted by a fine victory over Galatasaray in midweek, but they will be under no illusions over the size of the task at hand having been shellacked in this fixture last season.
1. When is the match? Sunday. 2.05pm. Because those five minutes make all the difference to ad revenue, apparently.
2. What channel is it on? Sky Sports 1. The programme starts at 1pm.
3. Team news Chelsea: Brazilian midfielder Ramires has been ruled out by Jose Mourinho, as has Didier Drogba. Everyone else is available.
Arsenal: Quite a big injury list for the Gunners, as is the norm. Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta are definitely out, joining Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy, Serge Gnabry and Yaya Sanogo in the treatment room. Nacho Monreal could feature after recovering from a back injury, however.
4. Reasons for Chelsea fans to be optimistic Chelsea have scored with 26 per cent of their shots this season, the best chance conversion in the Premier League. Arsenal have won none of their last 14 Premier League meetings against Chelsea, Man United or Man City (W0 D7 L7). Jose Mourinho has never lost as an opposition coach against Arsene Wenger in any competition.
5. Reasons for Arsenal fans to be optimistic Arsenal have lost just one of their last 14 Barclays Premier League games since defeat at Stamford Bridge in March. Arsenal have won away at Stamford Bridge more often than any other visiting side in the Premier League.
6. The key man There's going to be a bit of a love-in between Arsenal fans and Cesc Fabregas on Sunday. The Spain midfielder admitted not so long ago that the Gunners hold a special place in his heart, while Arsene Wenger urged supporters to give him "a respectful welcome". Fabregas has made a superb start to life at Chelsea, setting up six goals in his first six league games and linking up brilliantly with Diego Costa. It would be no surprise if he came back to haunt Arsenal, who opted not to go back in for him this summer.
7. Last five league meetings Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal (March 2014) Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea (December 2013) Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal (January 2013) Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (September 2012) Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea (April 2012).
8. Quote corner John Terry on Chelsea's new boys: "Cesc has been here [playing in England] before so he knew what to expect, and he’s hit the ground running. With Diego, strikers can take months and months [to adapt] but he’s scored eight goals already, which is superb, that’s great for us." Arsene Wenger on Arsenal's 6-0 loss last term: "It was of course a very bad memory, but football is not made of history, it is made of performance and performance in the next game that counts. That is what we want to do.”
9. Simon Bird's prediction Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal: It is hard to back look past Chelsea this season because they look the complete side, with few weaknesses and so many options. This will be a fierce battle, but you always fancy Chelsea to shut up shop and kill a game if they get ahead. 10. The top of the Premier League Chelsea is ahead of Arsenal with six points. With Chelsea having 16points and Arsenal 10points.
Source: Standard Media
