While the City of London is once again forced to divide itself, at least the North and West sections, football fans across the world await to glance excited eyes upon Stamford Bridge this Sunday when top of the league and third clash for the first time this Premier League season.
London Calling: Three Key Match-Ups To Watch, Chelsea Versus Arsenal
While London calls upon two of her most famous football clubs to extend the right hand of fellowship as an advert for English football, here are a few key match-ups to watch Sunday when the flash bulbs begin to blind.
Lukasz Fabianski v Chelsea's Attack
While Arsenal have struggled on and off at this position since Jens Lehmann's prime, Fabianski, who will replace the injured Manuel Almunia as Arsenal's #1, looks set to build upon his decent enough performance midweek in Arsenal's 3-1 Champions League victory. Then the opponent was Partizan Belgrade, Sunday the opponent will be the much tougher English Champions Chelsea. Although Fabianski saved a penalty and remained solid and confident throughout the Champions League tie, Chelsea's fluid attack through (hell, take your pick) Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Michael Essien will create more clear cut chances than the Serbian champs could.
It’s vital that Fabianski performs at his blunder-less best to give Arsenal a decent chance at a result. At home, Chelsea aren’t the type of club who need goals gifted to strangle.
While many Arsenal fans still question Fabianski’s ability to deputize until a class keeper is secured, the 25 year old Pole now has his chance to prove wrong his detractors.
Newly acquired from Bordeaux, French-born Moroccan footballer Marouane Chamakh has impressed football fans thus far in his infancy as a Premier League footballer. Chamakh has already scored four goals in all competitions for the Gunners while his ability in the air, winning headers and burying them into the back of the netcould prove problematic for John Terry and Alex. While Terry is attempting to recapture his best form, he’s certainly seen better days as a central defender when compared to recent outings. Yet because of his smarts and experience, he’s still an effective leader and presence for Chelsea.
While Alex has a missilelauncher at his disposal standing over a free kick, he's also a solid defender with good positional sense. Look for Chamakh to trouble either one depending on their awareness of Arshavin's diagonal runs or Samir Nasri's forward movements. A key moment for this match up will be from Arsenal corners and set pieces.
Andrei Arshavin v Branislav Ivanovic/Michael Essien
While the pacy Russian play maker enters into his best form of the season, he unquestionably looks to run at his toughest test thus far in Chelsea’s right back Branislav Ivanovic and right sided midfielder Michael Essien. In one word, Daunting.
While Arshavin boasts enough quality and trickery to create in attack from the left side, it'll be the ability of his teammates in support that will prove Arshavin's efforts a success. Look for Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshere (should he start) and Gael Clichy supporting from left back to assist Arshavin v the Bison and the staunch Ivanovic. Essien in particular has been in good form in midfield, although Manchester City a week ago found a way to deal with his power - keep him well outside the box and challenge him to shoot from distance. The verdict: shot after shot ended up in row zed while Chelsea ended up scoreless.
On paper, Chelsea look dangerous. Right now, the Blues are that slightly wounded UFC fighter who’s just been tagged by a quick left hook. While they take a second to return to their dangerous best, it’ll be Arsenal’s job to follow up with a quick right then a fight ending take down before the Champs get their mojo going for a knockout.
See More:
