Arsenal were displaced from second spot after Manchester City’s win over Aston Villa on Saturday. They can make an immediate return, however, if they manage to beat Chelsea, at the Emriates on Sunday. A win for Arsene’s Wenger team would take them to within seven points of the leaders with five games left to play. The most optimistic of Gunners supporters may think they have a chance of winning the title should they win but realistically they will be looking to finish second and try to build on that again next season. Of course, they are also in the final of the FA Cup, a competition they won last year, so it could be considered a successful season if they can retain that trophy and finish runners-up.
It is fair to say that Chelsea have not been at their best in the second half of the season but they manage to do just enough in games to continue their path to the title. Jose Mourinho’s team have not won any game by more than on goal since the 17th of January when they won 5-0 away to Swansea. Since that match they have won seven games by the margin of one goal and drawn their other three in the Premier League. It is in stark contrast to their form earlier in the season when they were much more free-flowing and brushed opposition teams aside with relative ease. That will not bother Mourinho, his players or the club’s supporters, though, if they manage to win their first title since 2010.
It has been an even longer wait for Arsenal, of course, with the North London club on an 11 year wait. Thar’s unlikely to change this term but the signs are there that they are getting closer to ending that wait. It is now eight straight league victories and it is that sort of consistency in the second half of a season that they have lacked in recent years. Some critics will point to the fact that they are turning it on when the pressure is off and they do not have a real chance of winning the league. Their record against the big teams has also been somewhat questionable, again, this season. But wins away to Manchester City and beating the other half of Manchester at Old Trafford in the FA Cup will give hope to the club’s supporters for the new campaign.
The signings of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa have definitely added to to Chelsea this season, especially in the final third where they came up short on so many occasions last season. Electing to keep hold of Thibaut Courtois and making him first choice has also improved them, as good as Petr Cech has been for Chelsea. It would be remiss to forget about the contribution of players who have been there previously, particularly John Terry, and Eden Hazard who have been outstanding all season. So often with a Mourinho team, it is the spine where he places so much emphasis and he had done his best to keep that selection as consistent as possible. Costa’s injury has meant that has not always been possible which is one of the main reasons why they have not been at their best, attacking-wise.
There is so much rivalry involved in this match. Not only is it a London derby with plenty of historical context, the two have become embroiled in a more recent battle, cantering around the managers. Dating back to Mourinho’s first spell in charge, the relationship between him and Wenger has always been strained, which is why these games are so eagerly anticipated. This next encounter will be a test of both as Arsenal look to put down a marker for next season whilst Chelsea will not want to offer them any sort of optimism for an unlikely title success, this season. It was Blues who ran out very comfortable winners in the meeting at Stamford Bridge earlier in the campaign but Arsenal have definitely improved since then. I would not be at all surprised if this ends in a draw but the bet I favour even more is for both teams to score. The home team will undoubtedly take the game to their opponents which will bring both team’s strengths to the fore. Four of Chelsea’s last six away games have ended this way, whilst nine of 15 home games for Arsenal have seen both sides finding the bet, including games against City, United, Tottenham and Liverpool.
Both teams to score 5/6 @ Betvictor
