Sunday 24th January Kickoff: 1600hrs
Arsenal v Chelsea
Football – England – Premier League
It is no secret that these two clubs do bit like each other, but the build-up to this particular encounter has not been anywhere near as fractious as previous meetings due to a change in manager at Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, it would be foolish to think that events on the field will be anything different come kick-off tomorrow.
Arsene Wenger’s record against teams managed by Jose Mourinho is well documented so the Arsenal manager will probably be quite content that it is Guus Hiddink in the opposing dugout on Sunday. The Gunners – top of the league at the time of writing – are one of the few teams who failed to take advantage of Chelsea’s dismal season as they went down 2-0 at the Bridge back in September. That defeat cast a lot of doubt on whether or not Wenger’s men had what it takes to mount a serious title challenge this season but, to their credit, Arsenal have responded well and come into this game on a run of just one defeat in their last 10 games.
In any of my recent previews of games involving Chelsea I have never once contemplated the Blues being involved in a relegation battle. I am not ready to fully accept that they are in danger of losing their Premier League status for the first ever time, but a defeat on Sunday could well see them looking over their shoulder. Despite John Terry’s very late (and offside) leveller last weekend against Everton, Chelsea are just four points outside the relegation places. Depending on the results on Saturday, their situation could be even worse off. I think it was widely expected that the departure of Mourinho would lead to a significant improvement in both performances and results, but that certainly does not seem to be the case on the evidence we have seen since Hiddink took charge.
Arsenal fans will be delighted at the news of Alexis Sanchez return to fitness ahead of this one, as well as Mesut Ozil regaining full fitness after missing the goalless draw with Stoke last Sunday. Although the league leaders have coped well without Sanchez, with neither of them available last weekend, Arsenal looked devoid of ideas and inspiration. Whether or not Sanchez plays from the start on Sunday remains to be seen but even having him in contention will be a boost to Wenger and all concerned with the club. With the team fighting in three fronts in the coming weeks and months, the Chilean forward will be desperate to make up for lost time and return to the form that made him one of the league’s most exciting players to watch.
Chelsea could well welcome back one of their own stars ahead of this game as Eden Hazard nears a return. Of course, the Belgian winger may not be given as warm a welcome from his own support as Sanchez will by the Arsenal fans, after the role he is accused of playing in the dismissal of Mourinho. There’s no getting away from how disappointing Hazard has been this season, especially on the back of such a successful 2014/15 campaign. He’s not the only one, of course, and Hiddink has to find a way to improve the performances of the team as a whole, with a particular emphasis on the defence. Often the most reliable aspect of Chelsea’s play, it has been torn apart time and time again in recent weeks. That was no more evident than last weekend when conceding three goals at home to Everton.
Arsenal v Chelsea Betting Tips
The ongoing feud between Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho almost served as a distraction from the football itself ahead of these games so there is some relief that everybody can concentrate on the matters at hand. I mentioned his dismal record when coming up against Chelsea teams managed by Mourinho, but it’s a much more positive outlook when playing against Chelsea without Mourinho – he’ll be hoping that record is enhanced come full-time tomorrow.
Defeat to West Ham on the opening day of the season remains Arsenal’s only home defeat in the league this term, and having already beaten both Manchester clubs at the Emirates this season, the home team will be confident of taking another three points on Sunday. Chelsea have won only twice on the road in 2015/16, their only wins coming at West Brom and on their last away outing at Crystal Palace. Two other notable performances on their travels have been goalless draws at Tottenham and Manchester United. Neither game will live long in the memory but it was a sign of what they are capable of when the attitude is right, and Hiddink may well look for something similar against Arsenal.
I’m firmly in the Arsenal camp with this one, especially with Ozil back fit and Sanchez returning to the squad. It gives Wenger so much more creativity and attacking threat, something that was missing in last week’s match at Stoke. Chelsea look every bit as fragile as they did earlier in the season and although they done well to rescue a point against Everton, the performance itself was disjointed. Their opponents let them back into the game last week but I’m not so sure Arsenal will be as accommodating.
Arsenal 11/10 @ Stan James
