Arsenal-Chelsea Preview

By: Martin | November 28th, 2009

Chelsea

Position: 1st, 11-0-2 (33 points, +25 goal differential)

Recent Form: LWWWW

Away Form: 4-0-2

Last Meeting: Arsenal 1-Chelsea 4 (5/10/09)

Well, it’s here. The big one. The London derby game that will go a long way to determine the league title this season. A Chelsea win would put us 11 points back, albeit with a game in hand, and would essentially put the sword to any hopes we have of winning the league. On the other hand, if we win, we’re just 5 points back with a very winnable game in hand, which puts us right in the thick of the title race with Chelsea and United. It really is a game that needs no hype or explanation of its importance.

You guys know Chelsea. Unlikeable players, including two particularly awful ex-Gunners (Ca$hley and Anelka). An owner who I swear was a villain in a Bond flick at some point. Borderline acts of assault on the referee anytime the ref has the temerity to call anything against them. “Physical” play that borders on unsporting. John Terry.

But to give the devil his due, Chelsea is, of course, a very, very good football team. In fact, if you had to pick the best squad in the world at the moment, I have to think Chelsea is the pick. Aside from a couple of stumbles away from Stamford Bridge (a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa and an unfathomable 3-1 loss away to Wigan), they’ve been nearly flawless domestically. Along with Arsenal, they have the highest point total out of their Champions League group, with 13. They’ve got world-class players at most positions in their starting XI, and have considerable depth as well.

Also, make no mistake–even though a lot of the personnel is the same, this is no longer Mourinho’s Chelsea, which elevated the 1-0 victory to an art form. While they’re still tight at the back, conceding a microscopic 8 goals in 13 league matches, this team can score goals in bunches. They’ve put 33 balls in the back of the net, second only to Arsenal. Drogba and Anelka are quite possibly the best strike tandem in the world. Ancelotti’s diamond formation gets the ball forward and keeps it there, the players have bought into it, and they have the personnel to run the system with lethal efficiency.

With the possible exception of Manchester United at Old Trafford, this is the toughest fixture we’ve faced yet this season. And the fact that we’ll have to do it shorthanded makes it all the tougher. Gibbs, van Persie, Bendtner, Fabianski, Diaby, Clichy, and Djourou are all out. Gallas is 50/50 with the eye injury suffered from the collision with Arshavin on Tuesday. You know what? Get out there and play, Billy. Because if you don’t play, Silvestre will, and that’s unacceptable. Put a damn eyepatch on–I’d rather have you with one eye than Silvestre with two eyes. Plus, you’ll look like a pirate, which will be pretty badass.

Meanwhile, the injury news for Chelsea is good. Bosingwa is out, and they’ll miss his pace, his crossing, and his incredible unibrow. But Lampard has returned to health, as has Essien, so they really will be at close to full strength.

What can I say? This is going to be a very, very difficult match. Chelsea is brutally tough to score against. They’ve kept a clean sheet in 8 of their 13 league fixtures this season. They’ve only given up more than one goal twice, in both of their losses. But, on the other hand, Arsenal has run roughshod in our home matches–we average an even 4 goals per game in our home matches, and the lowest goal total we’ve had at home is 3. So it’s the old tale of the unstoppable force versus the immovable object–best offensive club against the best defensive club. It’ll be fascinating to see which wins out.

But like I said, a main concern is the fact that Chelsea is also an excellent offensive club, while our defense is very vulnerable, particularly if Gallas doesn’t play. With Gibbs out, Traore will presumably start at left-back–he’s dangerous going forward, but is a calamity trying to cover his own position. Hopefully the fact that Chelsea’s diamond focuses the attack a little more through the middle than down the wings will relieve a bit of the pressure on him.

I’ll also say that I think the single most important player in the match will be Alex Song. He’s really come into his own this season and has to be considered the early frontrunner for the Young Player of the Year. More than that, though, he’s instrumental to Cesc feeling free to go forward, Arsenal controlling possession, and the relieving the backline of pressure. He’s also probably our most physical player, which will be crucial in dealing with the likes of Drogba. If Arsenal is to win, Song has got to continue his recent form and impose himself on the midfield.

I imagine Denilson will round out the midfield, which leaves as the only remaining question who will join Arshavin on the front line. My money’s on Nasri and Rosicky, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Eduardo and/or Walcott start up front, either.

Almunia

Sagna-Gallas-Vermaelen-Traore

Fabregas-Song-Denilson

Nasri-Arshavin-Rosicky

That’s about it. Remember–Don’t Stop Believin’: