The Premier League are saving the best until last this weekend, with the division’s most in-form outfit, Arsenal, taking on league leaders Chelsea in Sunday’s late kickoff. Though there may only be a place separating these sides in the table, Chelsea are 10 points clear at the top. Whatever the final score, they’re still surely going to go on and wrap up the title.
Arsenal vs. Chelsea 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
The Blues will look to move a step closer to winning the Premier League title.
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However, Arsenal -- who have won every single one of their domestic fixtures since the North London Derby defeat in early February -- will be looking to push on and cement second place in the table. The Gunners will also be out to prove a point: they may have clicked too late to be a serious title contender this season, but they are looking ever more like they could be in the race this time next year. It should be a very interesting fixture.
Key player - Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal)
There's no doubt that Arsenal's best player is the lively forward Alexis Sánchez, whose pace and skill makes him every bit as dangerous as any attacker in the division. He has made a good start to life in the Premier League, and and joy that the Gunners find in this game will probably come courtesy of the Chilean.
Key Matchup - Arsenal’s defence vs. the Chelsea counter-attack
Knowing Chelsea manager José Mourinho, he’ll tell his team to sit very deep and allow Arsenal plenty of time on the ball around the halfway line, safe in the knowledge that his side have the pace on the counter-attack to kill the Gunners with only one opportunity. The old adage that it only takes a second to score a goal is truer of Chelsea than any other team in England. How the Arsenal defence copes with the speed of their attacks will determine the outcome of this match.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin). In doubt: Per Mertesacker (ankle).
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Loïc Rémy (calf), Diego Costa (hamstring), Didier Drogba (hamstring).
Arsenal’s only certain absentee is midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, though Per Mertesacker faces a race to recover from an ankle injury in time to play in the centre of the Gunners’ defence. Chelsea, meanwhile, have all three of their first-team strikers back available after injuries. If not, Mourinho may well have to get creative with his team selection.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 11 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. local
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), Telemundo (U.S. - Spanish), TSN, RDS 2 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. - English), Deportes Telemundo En Vivo Extra (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Go (U.K.)
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