Arsenal vs Chelsea – Preview

Arsenal host London rivals Chelsea in Saturday’s early kick off. The game will start at 12:45pm UK time, which means I will be up bright and early at 6:45 to watch the Gunners whilst I am here in the USA.

Five games into the new season and Chelsea lead the way with their only dropped points coming in a goalless draw at QPR. Meanwhile, the Gunners started slowly with goalless draws against both Sunderland and Stoke. They found their scoring boots in the next two games, beating Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield and Southampton 6-1 at home, before drawing 1-1 at champions Manchester City last weekend, which by all accounts was not a bad result.

Arsenal used to win this fixture nearly every time it was played, but when Jose Mourinho arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004, he signed a player that gave the Blues something to cheer about when they played Arsenal. Didier Drogba bullied Arsenal for many years and finally left the club this summer.

Arsenal fans can point to having more success in this fixture in recent times, with a 5-3 win at Chelsea last season as well as a 3-1 win at home in 2o1o/11. Despite the fact Chelsea did win the Champions League and FA Cup last season, it is fair to say that this is the first time in a while that the two teams are on level playing grounds. Yes, Chelsea spend more money than Arsenal do, following Roman Abramovich’s millions that he gives them to compete, but before 2003 when he took over, Chelsea were a sorry team. They won an FA Cup or League Cup here and there and other than that they were irrelevant. Then you go from about 2004/05 until about 2010/11 and it was Chelsea dominance in this fixture (except for the odd Arsenal win here and there). Now, despite Chelsea’s ‘Double’ last season, they finished 5th, below Arsenal. Arsenal haven’t lost to Chelsea since October 2010 (3 fixtures) and they seem a tougher side to break down nowadays than when Drogba beat the likes of Phil Senderos for fun every time the two sides met.

Arsenal have been boosted by the return of Thomas Vermaelen from a virus that kept him out against Manchester City. Emmanuel Frimpong should be available for selection after returning against Coventry in midweek.

John Terry has the right to appeal his four-game ban he received for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. This apparently means he is available to play if selected this weekend. Eden Hazard and Oscar are likely to feature, having only played bit-part roles in midweek in the League Cup.

Arsenal take on Chelsea in the weekend’s early game.