Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard start for Chelsea, with Demba Ba and John Terry on the bench. There's no David Luiz in the squad. Podolski (illness), Oxlade-Chamberlain (illness), Arteta(Calf), Rosický(calf) and Girvinho (ACON) are all out of Arsenals match day squad. Team line ups: 4-2-3-1 Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Oscar, Mata, Hazard; Torres. Subs; Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Terry, Ake, Marin, Ba. 4-2-3-1 Arsenal: Szczęsny; Sagna, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Diaby, Coquelin; Walcott, Wilshere, Cazorla; Giroud. Subs: Mannone, Koscielny, Andre Santos, Ramsey, Arshavin, Jenkinson, Frimpong. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Chelsea have lost as many home games as they have won against Arsenal in the Premier League (W7, D6, L7). The Gunners won 5-3 on their last visit to Stamford Bridge in October 2011, with Robin van Persie scoring twice in the last five minutes to complete a hat-trick. However, Chelsea have lost only four of their last 22 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions (W12, D6, L4). Chelsea; Chelsea have won five and lost only one of their last seven league fixtures, scoring 20 goals. Chelsea have only won one of their six domestic games under Rafa Benitez at Stamford Bridge, while they have won their last six away matches under him. They have kept an unsurpassed nine clean sheets in the Premier League. Frank Lampard has scored seven goals in his last nine Premier League starts. He is now the second highest goalscorer in the club's history with 194 goals - eight behind Bobby Tambling. Arsenal; Arsenal have fewer points after 21 matches than in any other season since Arsene Wenger took charge in 1996. They are unbeaten in their last five Premier League away matches and have only conceded nine away goals all season - the equal-fewest in the division with Swansea. Wenger's side have conceded the highest proportion (58%) of first-half goals in the top flight this season, according to Opta. The Gunners have yet to lose a game in which they took the lead, winning seven and drawing two. Theo Walcott has already scored a career-high 14 goals for the season in all competitions. Eight of those goals have come in the league - one shy of his best-ever tally in 2010-11.
Hope we play Luiz and Lamps midfield, and /or DON'T play Ramires and Oscar. One or the other, but not both.
Looking at the form table you'd have to side with Arsenal, seeing as Chelsea's home form is dreadful. In all honesty though I hate Chelsea, a dumb side, that has bought every inch of success they've ever had. Arsenal are a proper football club who spend what they earn. Come on Arsenal, destroy those scum bags, and well beat Tottenham for you just to say thanks
hopefully, but not looking likely I'll go. not really up for driving down and back in this weather and haven't booked a train ticket yet then why the **** are you on our board you total moron?
Because so many articles are either about SAF or Man UTd on the Chelsea forum, as you guys are obsessed with us . Sorry that I feel the need to respond and prove you wrong on these topics
King. Are you seriously talking about buying success? May I refer you to the 1990's when united were 'buying' title after title and throwing their financial muscle around with no one able to out spend you. Twice in two seasons did united break the British transfer record and you have the gaul to criticise us for spending big? I don't believe there is such a thing as buying success as city have shown only heavy investment into your team. Even with the best players in the world you still have to make it work. United fans really are living in a shattered glass house these days. It was ok for you to splash millions on the top talent when it gave you success but now others are doing it, it's spoiling football. You're a mug.
Not the most intelligent post on here,. Man Utd bought more success than any club in the history of English football, they started the wage explosion, payed record transfer fees twice in one year then whinged like banshees when another club found the means to outspend them, after the Glazres took money OUT instead of putting it in. So to claim Chelsea have "bought' all their success is simply ridiculous. And a "dumb" side ??? Compared to whom ???/ More tropjies and success than most other PL sides recently, is that what you mean by "dumb" ?? I do agree that Arsenal will wallop us this weekend because we are a club in turmoil, rudderless, leaderless, gutless, brainless. Worst of all we are clueless.
Deleting any more posts from Man U fans on this thread. This game has Absolutely nothing to do with them and Shergar has ruined Alpha's thread. Back on topic I think Stewart Robson on ESPN hit the nail on the head, the outcome of the match will depend on us and if Torres starts over Ba (which I think will happen) then the crowd will turn against him and Benitez from the start, that will play into Arsenal's hands significantly. Torres had his best game in a Chelsea shirt at the Emirates in September and held the ball up excellently allowing us to get runners making forward runs and pull their defenders out of position, a unit like Ba would be perfect for that. Ba and Oscar both start and I'm confident we'll win the game. If one starts I think we will draw. If neither start then it's a loss for me. Stop Wilshere playing then you stop Arsenal, he's the only leader they have, Oscar would almost completely deplete his effect on the game IMO.
Semi-agreed. That won't be the only reason why the crowd could turn, and the crowd is what this result will depend on. If we want a result we need to support the team no matter what. If we want to cut our noses off to spite our faces, then boo away.
Predict a Chelsea 2 nil home win. We have a great record against Arsenal. Chelsea have only lost four of our last 22 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions. We already beat the Gunners 2-1 at the Emirates earlier in this season.
well lets hope we score them in the last 5 mins then because we could not stop Southampton banging two back past us !!
I hope this is where we turn it around at home, but I have my doubts. If we lose its going to be a fight for top 4 no doubt.
I think we will lose tomorrow... I think we'll lost tomorrow and then beat Swansea away to get to the final... We are quite unpredictable atm!
This is why I think we will win. If we can't turn it around at home in a derby against what is easily a top 3 game (in terms of fixture anticipation) then we never will. This Arsenal side is there for the taking IMO, not near as trepidating as some are making out and nowhere near as good as even last season. Arsenal have been poor all season but especially away, Bradford and Southampton created chances at will against them. Couldn't create anything at Villa (who were woeful), United had their easiest game all season against them and they were poor at Everton. We CAN win this.
I'd imagine your small brain and scummy wumming will no doubt result in you being removed from this board sooner than later.
