
Sky
Sports pundit Jamie Carragher will be right here each week to cast his
expert eye over the forthcoming Premier League games.
The Liverpool legend will have his say on the teams, players, managers and
stories surrounding Sky’s live weekend fixtures – and in this column he
looks ahead to Sunday's London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal.
So read on for his thoughts on Jose Mourinho's willingness to adapt his
tactics, Arsene Wenger's reluctance to do the same and Cesc Fabregas'
inevitable impact.
What tactics will Mourinho go with for this game?
CARRA SAYS: I think Mourinho is a manager who, in big
games, is prepared to change things and adapt his tactics for certain teams
and Arsene Wenger isn’t so there’s no surprises with what Arsenal will do. I
think Mourinho sets up for that and finds a way to beat it. The last game at
Stamford Bridge - when the hosts won 6-0 - Chelsea played on the
counter-attack and Arsenal pushed forward and that obviously got them a
massive result. If Arsenal play in exactly the same way I’m sure Mourinho
will do what he’s done in the past games, regardless of what type of players
he’s got. The instructions will be the same, we’ve seen them this season
scoring lots of goals at home and then going to Man City and, without
killing the game, making it very hard for City.
I don’t think it’s negative when Mourinho sets up to counter-attack in
certain games. He’s using the tactics that he thinks gives his team the best
chance of winning – that’s clever, it’s not negative.
Will Wenger alter Arsenal's tactics to prevent a repeat of that
six-goal humiliation?
CARRA SAYS: I don’t think Wenger will set up differently, I
just don’t think it’s his way. I think it would be beneficial to him if he
did tinker with things a little bit but I don’t see that happening. I hope
he does because it will make it a better game. It would test Chelsea and
give them a few things to think about. But it’s not really his way. He’s
just passed his 18th anniversary and he’s been a great manager both for
Arsenal and for the Premier League and changing his system is not something
he’s ever really done so I’d be surprised if he starts now.
He’s obviously got a lot of similar midfielders but one thing could just be
to tell the full-backs to hold their position for the first half an hour and
see how the game goes. That’s not a case of having the players or not,
that’s just telling them to take up certain positions that could help them.
But of course they don’t have the big, powerful players of the past – that’s
something that they lack and that’s nothing new. It’s been the case for a
long time. But the players they do have are very, very good – some of them
are top players.
Why didn't Wenger re-sign Fabregas? And will the Spaniard punish his
old club?
CARRA SAYS: I think Arsenal didn’t go for him because they
had Mesut Ozil there and they’ve got a lot of similar players. Before he
left, Fabregas was actually playing in the position that Ozil likes – the
No.10 role. He’s more central midfield now but Wenger sees him in his old
role and he’d already spent over £40m on Ozil, who he wants a big season
from. It’s not because Wenger doesn’t rate Fabregas – he obviously does –
but he has a lot of players in that position now.
I see him having a big influence in this match because he’s a top player and
he’s influenced Chelsea all season. Whenever players go back to old clubs
something happens so you wouldn’t be surprised, but Wenger knows him well
and knows what he can do, so you’d expect him to have something in mind for
Fabregas.
Can Welbeck build on his midweek hat-trick and exploit Chelsea's
defence?
CARRA SAYS: Welbeck would give any defender problems with
that pace and that physique. It’s not something I’d like to come up against
if I was still playing. But they’ll play a little bit deeper to lessen the
impact of his pace, John Terry’s been doing that for a long time. And Gary
Cahill knows him well through England. It’ll be a great battle.
There's no love lost between the managers - should we expect more
dugout drama?
CARRA SAYS: I’m not expecting to see any extra spice on the
touchline. There’s been a few things said over the years but that’s
football. They both want to win, they’re both passionate and both great
managers. Of course, when you come up against a big rivals there’s a bit
extra and that’s the case on the pitch and on the touchline.
And finally... who do you see coming out on top?
CARRA SAYS: You have to fancy Chelsea because they’re at
home and they have a great record in the big games under Mourinho. And
Arsenal’s record over the past few years in big games has been poor. There’s
no doubt that, at this time, Chelsea are looking like the best team in the
league. So of course you have to fancy them.