Jon Mcleod
Andrew MacdougallBig Game: Arsenal v Chelsea
Arsenal's title challenge is hanging by a thread - if not already dead - and after a disappointing week Chelsea will be desperate regain some form and extinguish any lingering optimism around the Emirates.
Key players:
Arsenal - All eyes will be on the Gunner's new captain Cesc Fabregas, but if Arsenal are to get any return from this game his midfield partner Denilson will have to establish a platform from which their attacking forces can operate.
Chelsea - Nicolas Anelka faces his former team on one of the hottest streak in his career. He has scored 12 goals in 15 league games and with Joe Cole a doubt the pressure will once again be on the Frenchman to convert the chances.
Injuries:
Ars - Abou Diaby, Kolo Toure, Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Eboue all out.
- Emmanuel Adebayor, Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri fit.
Che - Juliano Belletti, Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho and Franco di Santo all out
- Alex fit, Joe Cole doubt.
Suspensions:
Che - Drogba
Won and lost:
The battle for middle turf - Chelsea's physical and combative three in midfield will look to dominate the middle ground preventing Fabregas from pulling the strings and forcing Arsenal to move the ball wide against the inclination of their centrally minded midfielders.
No Drogba - Arsenal with draw comfort from the absence of Didier Drogba - an Arsenal tormentor in the past - which should ensure their Achilles heel of failing to defend aerial bombardments is less exposed. But the Blues will look for enjoy as Anelka, supplied by Deco, runs in behind the sometimes clumsy Silvestre.
Arsenal forced to go wide on counter - As Chelsea revert to a 3-4-2-1 in pssession with the full backs bombing on and Obi stepping back into defence, Arsenal will have to find space in the vacated full back areas with the wingers and full backs pushing forward - a risky but necessary ploy. This will peg back the Chelsea full backs and allow the Gunners a foot hold in the game.
Turning the titanic - With teh robust but often immobile pairing of John Terry and Alex at the back for Chelsea, Arsenal will also look for Fabregas to play in the tricky Robin Van Persie as a sharp turning rapid firing option.
Frantic - With the pace of both sides they will look to hit on the counter attack so expect at times a some frantic and open exchnges.
Result:
Arsenal to scrape a draw and prolong the ambituity that engulfs them. 1-1.
Key players:
Arsenal - All eyes will be on the Gunner's new captain Cesc Fabregas, but if Arsenal are to get any return from this game his midfield partner Denilson will have to establish a platform from which their attacking forces can operate.
Chelsea - Nicolas Anelka faces his former team on one of the hottest streak in his career. He has scored 12 goals in 15 league games and with Joe Cole a doubt the pressure will once again be on the Frenchman to convert the chances.
Injuries:
Ars - Abou Diaby, Kolo Toure, Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Eboue all out.
- Emmanuel Adebayor, Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri fit.
Che - Juliano Belletti, Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho and Franco di Santo all out
- Alex fit, Joe Cole doubt.
Suspensions:
Che - Drogba
Won and lost:
The battle for middle turf - Chelsea's physical and combative three in midfield will look to dominate the middle ground preventing Fabregas from pulling the strings and forcing Arsenal to move the ball wide against the inclination of their centrally minded midfielders.
No Drogba - Arsenal with draw comfort from the absence of Didier Drogba - an Arsenal tormentor in the past - which should ensure their Achilles heel of failing to defend aerial bombardments is less exposed. But the Blues will look for enjoy as Anelka, supplied by Deco, runs in behind the sometimes clumsy Silvestre.
Arsenal forced to go wide on counter - As Chelsea revert to a 3-4-2-1 in pssession with the full backs bombing on and Obi stepping back into defence, Arsenal will have to find space in the vacated full back areas with the wingers and full backs pushing forward - a risky but necessary ploy. This will peg back the Chelsea full backs and allow the Gunners a foot hold in the game.
Turning the titanic - With teh robust but often immobile pairing of John Terry and Alex at the back for Chelsea, Arsenal will also look for Fabregas to play in the tricky Robin Van Persie as a sharp turning rapid firing option.
Frantic - With the pace of both sides they will look to hit on the counter attack so expect at times a some frantic and open exchnges.
Result:
Arsenal to scrape a draw and prolong the ambituity that engulfs them. 1-1.
