Monday’s disappointing result has added pressure to an already difficult fixture. Failure to gain three points from the Chelsea game will seriously jeopardise our push for a third place finish. Not only will it add impetus to the chasing pack but it will make the rest of the season’s fixtures must win games not want win games.
Arsene Wenger at his press conference said “It is a massive game for us, of course, and I don’t need to look at the table to know that because the table is in my head”
The Chavs had have two tough games in the past week, one in the FA Cup semi-final and the other against Barcelona who they face in the away leg only three days after the end of today’s game. De Matteo will have to decide on his priorities, whether to go all out in the hope of securing a top four finish or to keep something in the tank with a chance of a Champions League final at stake.
Wenger said “You don’t want to count on that, we want to focus on our performance, let’s not expect any lack of focus from Chelsea. It would be a massive mistake. They are on a high so it is always natural to be up for the next game.”
One thing for sure, if Drogba plays Arsenal must keep two teams of stretcher bearers available to carry the Ivorian tumbler off every time he collapses, in apparent agony, at the merest hint of a tackle or slightest brush against another player.
Terry is playing with two broken ribs, Luz is also injured and Ivanovic is suspended so their defence could be disrupted, particularly if Cashley is rested.
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The return, from suspension, of Laurent Koscielny is a welcome boost but the loss of Mikel Arteta, to an ankle injury, for the rest of the season is a real blow. The Spanish mid-fielder has been immense since his signing from Everton and has gone a long way towards replacing his homesick compatriot and the mercenary Na£ri. In his absence I would like to see Oxlade-Chamberlain given a run in central mid-field where his style of play, strength and confidence would be a contrast with Rosicky and Ramsey. Benayoun is unable to play for contractual reasons.
Szczesny has had a couple of “moments” in the last two games but the return of Koscielny could help to settle his nerves, I’m in two minds about the left-back position, Santos or, if fit, Gibbs? On balance I’d start with the Brazilian if only because Gibbs is prone to injury and we don’t need any further disruption in the back four. Both Coquelin and Diaby have returned to the first team squad after injury.
This is my starting line-up, feel free to post your own.
Szczesny
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Santos
Ramsey Song Oxlade-Chamberlain
Walcott Rosicky
Van Persie
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Message to the fans
Get behind the manager and the team, let the Chavs, especially Cashley, know what you think of them, remind them of the result at the Bridge.
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