Chelsea vs Arsenal: Stamford Bridge not enough to stem troubled water

Perhaps revenge is best served to an estranged erstwhile coach.

Although the bitter London rivalry between Arsenal and Chelsea is hardly in need of contrived melodrama to stir emotions, there will nevertheless be a fascinating subplot when the two sides meet this weekend as Blues’ forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang prepares for a first Premier League reunion with his former club.

A lot has changed on the football scene since a ‘catalogue of misdemeanours’ sparked the acrimonious exit of our captain ten months ago, with Aubameyang enjoying a brief yet prolific stint at Barcelona prior to his summer move while Arsenal fell just short in their pursuit of a coveted top-four finish; a setback they appear to have recovered well from this campaign.

However, recent criticism that he “can’t deal” with big characters suggests the Gabonese international still harbours feelings of resentment for Mikel Arteta following their unsavoury public fallout, and he will be keen to produce a big performance on Sunday to show the Spaniard exactly what he is missing out on.

No love lost between Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mikel Arteta ahead of huge Premier League showdown on Sunday

The upcoming clash will also see significant attention directed towards Aubameyang’s Arsenal replacement Gabriel Jesus, who has failed to find the net in eight consecutive matches. Goal-scoring struggles must not overshadow the many commendable ways he continues to help the team as a focal point, but it was revealed in midweek that Jesus is ‘bothered’ by his ongoing drought. After a vital contribution against Tottenham last month, he will be desperate to make another big derby impact on enemy soil.

Despite its prominence in fan discussions, the hotly anticipated reunion could materialise as an anticlimactic affair due to Aubameyang’s irregular game-time under tactical ‘chameleon’ Graham Potter, as well as persistent question marks over his current proficiency in front of goal. Meanwhile, Arteta has exhibited little interest in pre-match talk of personal duels and remains firmly focused on consolidating our position at the top of the table.

Expectations of a grudge-match dimension to this encounter are a sad reflection of our strained relationship with Aubameyang; a figure held in great affection for much of his Arsenal career and one who played a central role in the club’s last major triumph under the famous Wembley arch.

But the regrettable episode seems to have made the Gunners’ squad more united than ever, and they can invoke their fortified togetherness post-Aubameyang to claim a third successive victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

It’s nothing personal. Let’s go.