Whichever way you consider this afternoon, for once the hype generated by the media when describing the match is correct. Whilst it is not quite over, should there be a vanquished team at Stamford Bridge, it will be exceptionally difficult for them to win the title if Manchester United win at Old Trafford in the lunchtime kick-off.
That is by no means certain. Liverpool require victory in their pursuit of fourth place and a Champions League qualifying spot. Chelsea and Arsenal meanwhile need to win to maintain or close the gap on Manchester United. It has all the hallmarks of a tense London derby and of a draw.
Everyone has torn recent form for Arsenal apart seeking explanations for the four consecutive draws. No suitable answers have been found. It has been a mixture of wayward finishing, good performances by opponents, erratic form by individuals and injuries. Arsene commented that every game between now and the end of the season is a cup final. Some are more important than that comparison; when the fixtures are at the homes of your nearest challengers, it is the fact that you are denying them the points that increases the pressure surrounding the meeting.
Chelsea have been in good form over recent weeks, taking advantage of the slips by Arsenal to close the gap. Whilst they have been winning, there have been few truly convincing performances. At this stage of the season, the question is does that matter or are the points more important? In many respects, that assumption is correct but the performance levels inspires yourself and instils trepidation in your opponent. On that front, Arsenal’s psychological barrier is not only the four consecutive draws but also the tremendous home form that Chelsea have enjoyed; four years without a league defeat is some feat. That Arsenal were the last to taste victory fills the hyperbole of the commentators; that it was a totally different squad is conveniently forgotten.
The key to this area will be the midfield. Chelsea will seek to destroy Arsenal’s passing patterns; Flamini and Fabregas have to match the physical challenge and impose themselves centrally to allow Hleb and Eboue to break on the flanks. It is in these areas that Chelsea have vulnerability. Lining up with 4-3-3 is fine for attacking purposes but Kalou and Joe Cole are not noted for their defensive strengths when the formation segues into 4-5-1.
Despite the personnel, Chelsea remain susceptible in the centre as well. Tottenham exposed them from set pieces on Wednesday and that Chelsea were rocked showed with their attitude. The petulance displayed by Ashley Cole summed up everything I find loathsome about them. Even his apology subsequently seemed to me to be false, a smirk barely contained. It could be that he was reacting due to the circumstances, humility lost amid his nervousness about being caught, a naughty schoolboy in the headmaster’s office. To me though it was nothing short of conceit, a ‘so what attitude’, wondering what the fuss was about. It has nothing to do with the manner of his departure from Arsenal. Frankly, I do not care. He has gone, barely registering a footnote in the clubs history.
Perhaps the biggest psychological hurdle that Chelsea have to overcome is that in their manager’s mind. He knows only too well that on each big occasion this season, he has been found tactically wanting. It is this uncertainty that Arsene and the players must exploit. Conceding four goals damages a team’s confidence in much the same manner that scoring four will have boosted it. There is a strong probability that this afternoon will be a tight affair with the hosts concentrating on defence as much as attack to rectify the faults.
Mourinho built a squad that could stifle opponents before putting them to the sword late on in matches. No longer is the solidity there to build upon, particularly with Cudicini deputising for Cech. It would no surprise to see the latter taking his place in the line-up come kick-off.
For Arsenal, the central pairing of Gallas and Toure must rediscover the form shown when they were in tandem before the latter ventured into the African Cup of Nations and his subsequent injury. Middlesbrough exploited the weakness last weekend and Chelsea will do the same given the chance. Concentration is the key at the back, re-discovering their form as important as Adebayor doing likewise with his scoring touch.
The key figure up front may well be van Persie. He has the pace to trouble Carvalho and Terry or Alex and Terry, whichever pairing is fielded. Further, he has no discernable form for anyone to base a judgement on how he will play. Having been out for five months, it is difficult to assess how he will play. His ring-rustiness may buy him an advantage in causing a slight lapse in the Chelsea defence. A goal this afternoon though might do wonders for his self-confidence.
Above all though, the team must be committed. They have spoken all season about their confidence and belief in each other. Today that must shine through in a practical examination. Anything other than a United win must be capitalised on.
The team news emerging is that Arsene has the same squad as last week with no new injuries to report and no returnees. You would expect the same starting line-up as well with substitutes being used depending on the circumstances.
I would expect the line-up to be
Almunia; Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy; Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb; van Persie, Adebayor
With a bench of
Lehmann, Senderos, Song, Walcott, Bendtner
Despite some desire in certain quarters for Walcott to start, I do not think that will be the case. It will be as in recent games that he comes on for Eboue with say twenty or so minutes to go to stretch the Chelsea defence. If Arsenal are winning though he may not feature at all with Song coming into strengthen the midfield, replacing van Persie.
Whichever way the dice falls, it is sure to be tense. Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ‘til Tomorrow.
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Tags: Arsenal, Chelsea, Football, Premier League, Soccer
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