please log in to view this image Barclays Premier League 29th Oct 2011 KO: 12:45 Ground: Stamford Bridge please log in to view this image Two of the greatest sides of the premier league era meet once again in this London derby. A first for Chelsea new manager, Andre Villa Boas and the 41st for Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger. Under Villa-Boas, Chelsea have gone about their business away from the spotlight until last week. He has started off really well. Winning 9 out of 14 games in all competitions. In the premier league he has won 6 out of 9 games. All points dropped points where away from home. Although Chelsea under Villa-Boas, have been picking up the yellow and red cards and one of the players sent off in this run was Dider Drogba in last weeks West London derby. Drogba has an astonishing record against Arsenal, scoring 13 goals in 11 starts. So he will be a big miss for Chelsea. Juan Mata the new addition to Chelsea is a player to watch out for. He has added that much needed guile to the Chelsea team. Arsenal have been building a run of form also away from the spotlight and have started to gel as a team after the coming and goings of the summer transfer window. Although away from home, Arsenal still need to rediscover their feet and form from last season where they had the best away record in the league. Robin Van Persie is the man with the midas touch at the moment and the last time he played at Stamford Bridge, he scored 2 goals which took Arsenal to a rare win over Chelsea in recent times. Lets hope he repeats that feat. Teams News: Chelsea will be without centre forward Didier Drogba, who is suspended following his sending-off against QPR. His absence means Fernando Torres could return to the starting XI after the Spaniard completed a three-game ban for a red card against Swansea. Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen returned from an ankle injury in the Carling Cup and will be pushing for his first Premier League start since August. Carl Jenkinson will be assessed in training on Friday on whether he makes the squad for the Chelsea game. Gibbs and Diaby have failed to recover in time while Wilshere and Sagna are both long term injuries. Form: Arsenal: WLWLWW Chelsea: WLWWWL Three Key-Match Ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs Chelsea: Played: 176 Wins: 69 Draws: 51 Losses: 54 For: 250 Against: 224 Goal Difference: 26 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 3 - 1 Chelsea Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal Arsenal 0 - 3 Chelsea Arsenal 1 - 4 Chelsea Arsenal 1 - 2 Chelsea (FA Cup) please log in to view this image Managers Views: My Team: please log in to view this image
Mata goes inbetween the line of midfield and defence and Song will have to pick him up. That is where Mata does his work so Song is the man to stop it. As for TV, he looked really tired at the end of the last game so its going to be some ask to start this one and cope with the pace. Would keep him on the bench for this one.
it's a tough call for wenger. djourou played well at RB vs stoke and kos and mert have a really good relationship atm. but do we break that up to bring in vermaelen and move kos to rb...
Nah, I see Arteta further forward, with Ramsey, and Walcott and Gervinho slightly more behind. More of a 4-1-4-1 than a 4-2-1-3
I think Doujrou and walcott are going to have to defend the left flank otherwise we could get murdered, as much as we despise Cashley, he is still a top player - and with Malouda, Chelsea are strong there. Chelsea have got suspensions - no Bosingwa and Drogba - is that right? I'm not 100% sure on it? I reckon Kos can handle Torres for speed - and that's why I don't think we should rush Vermalen into this game.- although TV has got more guile. That said, Chelsea look a bit shambolic at the back and I reckon RVP and Gervinho are bang on form to exploit it
Confirmed - No Drogba, that is a massive plus for us. He has got a frightening record against us, and I think we'll deal better with Torres than Drogba
GK: Szczesny, Fabianski, Mannone - Barring some unfortunate accident before then, Szczesny is a dead-cert to start, as he has done all our league games this season, with Fabianski on the bench. 2 CBs: Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Djourou, Squillaci, Miquel - I think this all depends on if Vermaelen is fit enough (stamina and injury-wise) to play against a physical side like Chelsea. If he is not, then Mertesacker and Koscielny will continue. If he is and Wenger wants to start him, then I think he will line-up alongside Mertesacker. RB: Djourou, Jenkinson, Koscielny - Although AW has said Jenkinson might make it, I doubt he will start with little training against Chelsea. This position also depends on whether Vermaelen plays or not. If he does, then I think the more mobile Koscielny will start, while if Vermaelen doesn't then Djourou will continue at RB. LB: Santos, Miquel - With Gibbs out injured, Santos will start. No question. 3 CMs: Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Frimpong, Coquelin, Benayoun, Arshavin - I think that we will definitely see Arteta and Song starting, as they have played well. The third slot all depends on tactics. Do we play a more attacking Arshavin there, or do we go more defensive with Ramsey or Rosicky. I think that Ramsey would be the best bet, as he still defends when needed, while Arshavin doesn't, and can play the killer pass if necessary as well. Rosicky looks good on the ball, but he seems to pass it to players rather than through balls into space. RW/LW: Walcott, Gervinho, Arshavin, Benayoun, Chamberlain, Miyaichi - I think we will see a repeat of previous matches, with Walcott and Gervinho on the flanks, as Gervinho has played well recently and Walcott is always dangerous against a more attacking team like Chelsea. Arshavin could start after his impressive CC game, but I doubt it. ST: v.Persie, Chamakh, Park - Now that he's had his rest, I don't think theres any way van Persie won't start. I would like Park on the bench in front of Chamakh if we opt with 1 spare ST, as he played well in the CC while Chamakh was terrible vs Stoke. My Predicted Line-Up -----------------Szczesny------------------ --Djourou--Koscielny--Mertesacker--Santos-- -------------------Song-------------------- -----------Ramsey-------Arteta------------- -Waloctt---------------------------Gervinho- -----------------v.Persie-------------------- Fabianski, Vermaelen, Frimpong, Rosicky, Benayoun, Arshavin, Park. I don't think Vermaelen will be risked from the start and Arshavin will also start from the bench.
QPR fan in peace....Come on you Reds. just remember to be nice to the chelsea players as they don't like when the refs give the opposition the decisions!!! 2- 0 Arsenal RVP. Chelsea to finish with 10. Fat Frank to eat all the pies and Terry to say something stupid. Ive got some very good odds on those...
