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Chelsea Vs Arsenal 19 Sep 12:45 by haffaze777(m): 9:23am On Sep 19, 2015 |
Chelsea will host London rivals Arsenal at
Stamford Bridge on Saturday knowing they
cannot afford to lose any more ground on
pacesetters Manchester City.
The Blues start the weekend just above the
relegation zone, having dropped 11 points from
just five games. Chelsea’s defence, which was
the best in the league last season, is currently
the worst and have conceded a dozen goals in
the league.
Their problems extend to other parts of the
team, with the midfielders struggling to impose
themselves as they did last season while the
forwards like Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are
yet to replicate the impact they had in the
league last term.
Such a dip in form across the board has been
attributed by some to Chelsea’s decision to
return to pre-season a week later than most
Premier League teams because they seem to be
playing catch-up in terms of physical fitness.
Mourinho’s men at least played with a lot of
energy and quality in midweek when they
thumped Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0. The
circumstances were obviously accommodating in
their Champions League group opener as the
Blues claimed a confidence-boosting victory over
the Israeli champions.
Arsenal have had a better start to their Premier
League campaign but they are also under
pressure because of their problems up top. The
Gunners have the sixth worst goal return in the
league, despite creating more chances than most
teams, which reinforces the argument that
Arsene Wenger should have signed a world-class
striker during close-season.
Olivier Giroud has been Arsenal’s main centre
forward in recent seasons, but the Frenchman
hit a new low in his current trough as he missed
a couple of presentable chances before being
sent-off in the 2-1 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb on
Wednesday. Giroud is yet to score against
Chelsea, but he will hope for better fortunes on
Saturday.
The Gunners have also struggled to impose
themselves against the champions in the recent
past, losing five of their last six visits to Chelsea,
but Wenger’s men will be targeting a different
result this time.
Their world-class keeper Petr Cech is returning
to Stamford Bridge for the first time since his
switch to the north London club.
Chelsea team news
Pedro Rodriguez (knee) and Willian
(hamstring) will join Thibaut Courtois (knee)
on the sidelines after picking up injuries this
week.
Radamel Falcao could miss out as well
because of a knee injury.
Arsenal team news
Per Mertesacker is expected to start after
recovering from a car crash this week.
Jack Wilshere had a setback in his recovery
and the England international will undergo
surgery on a hairline fracture in his left leg.
Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky are also
long-term absentees because of knee
injuries.
Aaron Ramsey and Hector Bellerin were
rested for the trip to Zagreb, but should
return.
Chelsea vs Arsenal prediction
Mourinho is likely to make changes to the side
that defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv, so Branislav
Ivanovic could return at right-back with Cesar
Azpilicueta switching back to left-back.
Oscar was impressive on his return to the
starting XI, so Mourinho could retain the
Brazilian playmaker as the central attacking
midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation for the
champions.
That may see Cesc Fabregas working from the
base of midfield alongside Nemanja Matic, with
the Spaniard frequently breaking forward to
dictate play. Diego Costa will probably return to
spearhead Chelsea’s attacks, with Eden Hazard
and possibly Ramires as the wide attacking
midfielders.
This away game should suit Theo Walcott better
than Giroud, so the English striker could lead
Arsenal’s attack. If he starts, Walcott will try to
use his pace to get in behind John Terry and on
the end of balls played down the sides when
Chelsea hold a high defensive line.
In midfield, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin
are set to be the central midfielders, double-
pivoting in front of the Gunners’ defence while
Mesut Ozil works as a transitional player in a
more advanced central midfield position. Aaron
Ramsey could return to the side as a right
attacking midfielder, with Alexis Sanchez drifting
in from the left flank.
Both sides are under pressure to perform, but
Chelsea will probably express themselves better
after the midweek result. This could be a narrow
home win for the Blues.
Score prediction
Chelsea1-3 Arsenal |
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