If Chelsea beat Newcastle tomorrow (OK, when Chelsea beat Newcastle tomorrow), they'll go 8 points clear of us, after only 3 games. I think a win against Stoke is already looking essential.
Would not go that far. Chelsea have had a nice start. Two homes games in their first three and two of those have been Wigan and Reading. Also, Chelsea have looked a bit dodgy in defence against these weak teams. Also, Newcastle beat Chelsea att he bridge last season and I fancy them to nick a point this time. If Reading can cause their defence problems, what can HBA,Ba and Cisse do?
Cisse was poor against (insert greek team name here) on thursday, he hasn't looked like the player he was last season. Ben Arfa is massively overrated, Ba is the threat, but it depends on how Cisse and Cabaye play, and they'll be outplayed by Hazard and Mata.
It's only been two games. Cisse has shown that he is deadly in front of goal and he has great memories of Stamford Bridge. Ben Afra is still a talented player and can produce moments of brilliance. Tiote and Cabaye are a great pairing. Also, with Taylor back in defence, they have got stronger in that aspect. Facing Newcastle is a step up from Reading and Wigan, and I repeat if Reading ( Favorites to go down) can get two goals, then what can Newcastle do?
I want a boring goaless draw, because Newcastle will then be 5 points ahead of us if they win. I just don't see them being good enough though, i know (as you said) that they won at the Bridge last year (who can forget that goal?), but Chelsea have far too much attacking talent.
Firstly I think grossly underestimate the effect of playing newly promoted teams in August. Look at the problem Southampton caused City. Newly promoted teams are actually harder to play than top half teams because they are running on pure adrenaline. As for Wigan they were the form team finishing last season, look how hard United found Everton (who also finished last season strongly). Personally I would much rather of had your first two games than ours. We will raise our game for the big teams as we always do, like Neville said on MNF it's natural for players to do that
I thought that this was the Stoke vs Arsenal thread?! I am nervous about tomorrows game. It is coming very early in the season. Their first home game, so the crowd will fired up already, let alone the vitriol they reserve for our visits. The utter balls up Coleman made of the Shawcross/playing for Wales/Is that ok with you Aaron? situation only serves to stir up the negative aspects of our 'relationship' with the Potters. So, all in all, our chaps will be entering a very hostile arena. However, greatness comes from adversity and if our players can realise it, here is an opportunity to show the class that is in evidence and take a great result that will set a marker for the rest of the season. If we can play cannily in the first 20 minutes and draw the sting out of Stoke, we can get win tomorrow. I dont think Stoke have much to offer that is different from last year. It will be a tough one and the liklihood is another draw...but I wont be surprised if we pull this one out of the bag. I'm going for a hard earned 2-1 to the Gunners.
No they weren't. We didnt look dodgy v Wigan at all. We killed the game off in the first 5 minutes and took our foot off the gas, lack of match fitness and the fact we have 3 games in 6 days probably attributed to that. Wigan threw everything they had at us but only created 2 clear openings. As for Reading we battered them throughout. Had 27 shots on goal to their 7. Even the most ardent Reading fan would admit both their goals came against the run of play.
Can't see us scoring against stoke, but we at least need to stop their trolls scoring headers at the other end
