The
runaway leaders of the Premier League, Chelsea, host injury-ravaged Arsenal
at Stamford Bridge in a box-office Super Sunday clash.
It will be the first time the capital rivals have faced off since Chelsea’s
6-0 mauling of the Gunners back in March and Arsene Wenger will be desperate
to restore pride in the London derby.
The French tactician celebrated 18 years in charge of Arsenal with a
resounding 4-1 UEFA Champions League triumph over Galatasaray in midweek,
but now focuses attention to halving their six-point deficit on Chelsea at
the Premier League summit.
Jose Mourinho’s side were also successful on the continent this week,
beating Sporting Lisbon 1-0 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Chelsea and Arsenal enter round seven of the campaign as the two remaining
unbeaten side, though, the Blues have claimed five victories in their
opening six matches while Wenger’s side have been held to a draw on four
occasions.
The Gunners have just one win in their last five and were held to a 1-1
stalemate by North London rivals Tottenham last weekend, while Chelsea’s
most recent Premier League outing saw them cruise to a 3-0 win against Aston
Villa.
Chelsea have scored seven more goals (19) than any other team in the Premier
League this season and will expect to net against Arsenal, whose only clean
sheet of the campaign came at an Aston Villa side heavily depleted by
illness.
Meanwhile, 17 of the 41 goals the Gunners conceded in the Premier League
last season came away to the teams that made up the eventual top three, and
although they have improved, a lack of investment in central midfield could
cost them.
Team news
Chelsea manager Mourinho appears to have a clear bill of health ahead of
Sunday’s clash with Arsenal, with only long-term absentees Didier Drogba
(ankle) and Ramies (groin) out of action.
Leading marksman Diego Costa, who has netted eight goals in his first six
Premier League appearances, looks set to continue leading the line, but
despite Mourinho’s well-documented injury concerns, the Spaniard has been
called up for international duty.
While buoyed by their Champions League success, Wenger prepares his side to
face their adversaries without eight first-team players, with a potential
return for defender Nacho Monreal the lone positive note.
Midfielders Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and Mikel Arteta (calf) remain
sidelined, while Abou Diaby is again likely to be rested following a hip
problem.
Wingers Theo Walcott (knee) and Serge Gnabry (knee) are both in line to
return after the international break, along with striker Yaya Sanogo
(hamstring), while full-back Mathieu Debuchy (ankle) and France forward
Olivier Giroud (fractured foot) are long-term absentees.
Paul Merson’s prediction
Arsenal need to change the way they play if they are to get anything out of
this game and even after watching them beat Galatasaray 4-1 I don’t expect
them to get anything from Stamford Bridge. They haven’t played well before
that game and Galatasaray were very poor.
Arsenal are very good going forward, but they desperately need a central
midfield player (why did they turn down Cesc Fabregas? He’s better than what
they’ve got?) I think they’ll get picked off in this game and I don’t know
how they can live with Diego Costa. Chelsea have too much power and will
cause Arsenal big problems.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1
Opta Facts
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 14 Barclays Premier League games
since defeat at Stamford Bridge in March.
Jose Mourinho has never lost as an opposition coach against Arsene Wenger in
any competition (W6 D5 L0).
Former Gunner Cesc Fabregas leads the league with six goal assists and has
76 overall ranking him seventh in the all-time Premier League list.
Chelsea have scored with 26% of their shots this season, the best chance
conversion in the Premier League.
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