We're just over an hour away from the 3:00 p.m. Eastern start to Arsenal's annual visit from Chelsea, a fixture they haven't won since 2007. They did win at Stamford Bridge the next year, a 3-0 victory, the last time the Gunners took three from the Blues. Since José Mourinho went to Chelsea in June 2004, Arsenal has beaten Chelsea only twice in 16 matches, though if they get three today, the Gunners will move back into second, two points behind Manchester United. A Chelsea win puts the Blues third, three back of United, but if the teams draw, United is six up on Chelsea with a match in hand.
Arsenal Vs. Chelsea: Count Down To Kick-Off At The Emirates
In this light, some of the make-or-break talk building into this match is well placed. Manchester United hasn’t lost this year and is on a four game winning streak. For whichever team(s) fail to get three today, there’s a significant gap between them and the league’s leaders. It’s not even 2011 so you can’t completely write these clubs off, but with the loser sitting fourth place going into mid-week matches, it would be kind of call the loser’s title chances improbable.
Such are the takes for today’s match at the Emirates, a fixture that sees both teams looking to turn a corner. Chelsea is coming off one of their worst stretches in recent history, having failed to win in league since November 10. Now the Blues are reasonably healthy, with only Alex amongst starters set to miss today’s match. Against an opponent against whom they’ve won four in a row, there is a “if not now, when” feel to the match.
Same goes for Arsenal, though Arsène Wenger will be without Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs, but having already lost to United, a loss to Chelsea could bring about a debilitating "here we go again" effect. Trying to ward that off, Arsenal will have their full allotment of attackers for their match, begging the question: Who amongst Robin van Persie, Marouan Chamakh, Andrei Arshavin, Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshire - hell, throw in Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner and Tomas Rosicky - who should start? I gave my view here (reveal: Chamakh, Ashavin, van Persie with Fabregas and Nasri in the middle). Hints are Chamakh may (remarkably) be an odd man out.
Once we have starting lineups, we’ll update, as we’ll do for all major events throughout today’s match, with SB Nation Soccer again providing live coverage. Stay with us throughout the game, yell at us (and the players) in the comments, and enjoy this titanic holiday contest: Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates, a match we’re picking to go to the Blues, 2-1.
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