On Sky
Chelsea visit Highbury this Sunday with the chance to end their Highbury Hoodoo and aslo eliminate Arsenal from the Premiership race.
Vital Quotes:
It’s no secret that there has been bad blood spilt between these two sides over recent months. Therefore, Jose Mourinho was probably erring on the side of caution when he failed to attend the pre-match press conference. Instead he sent Petr Cech to perform that duty.
In front of a packed house Petr gave an informative interview and discussed several issues, the first of which was a startling prediction he made before the season had even stated. Petr remarked: ‘I always thought that this Arsenal team are young and I have said that maybe they will miss experience over the whole season. This is why I think Liverpool and Manchester United, with more experience, can be better this season. Without Vieira, they have lost experience. This is the point. They have quality players to replace him but they need time to get experience.’ Considering their current position, Petr has every right to expect to assume the role of televison expert when he hangs up his keepers gloves in several years to come.
Moving on to other matters, Petr then discussed the possibility of Arsenal being out of the Premiership race remarking: ‘We want to win every game but you never know what happens in life and you never know what happens in football. Mathematically they still have a chance to be first so we have to keep thinking they can do just that.’ Perhaps an elelment of caution was creeping into his thinking.
However, Petr was acutely aware of the fact of who could cause Chelsea the most problems as the conversation turned towards the menacing threat of Thierry Henry. Cech explained: : ‘You have to be careful with him but Arsenal are not about just Henry. Of course he is the key player and the best player there, but they’ve got a quality squad and everyone can score goals and be dangerous.”
Arsenal Team News:
Arsenal enter the fixture with several injury doubts. Definitely out is Ashley Cole who will not return to action until 2006 at the earliest whilst Reyes and Gilberto are also major doubts. It’s extremely likely that the verteran Dennis Bergkamp will form a striking partnership with the dangerous Thierry Henry.
Player to watch: Thierry Henry
The French striker has the unique ability to create something out of nothing. Last season he scored a spectacular first goal and then with, supreme opportunism, took a free kick early and left Chelsea dumbfounded. Looks to be reaching top form in recent weeks and Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry will have to remain alert for the full ninety minutes if his threat is to be nullified.
Chelsea Team News:
Mourinho will hopefully welcome back the talismatic Claude Makelele. If Makelele is deemed fit enough to return for this potentially volatile fixture, expect Mourinho to partner Frank Lampard with the athletic Michael Essien in midfield. Makelele will sit in front of a back four of Terry, Carvalho, Gallas and Asier Del Horno with Petr Cech returning as keeper in place of Cudicini.
Up front expect Didier Drogba to lead the line looking forward to improving his remarkable record against Arsenal. The powerful striker netted twice against them in the Community Shield victory in Cardiff and also notched the winner in the Premiership encounter at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
On the flanks expect Joe Cole and Damien Duff to be given the opportunity to stretch the Arsenal defence.
Player to watch: John Terry
JT is currently riding on the crest of a wave. Two sucessive winning goals, against Middlesbrough and Wigan, and the impending arrival of twins, courtesy of the lovely Toni, make these truly great times for Englands’ best defender. Expect John to lead from the front and don’t be surprised if his bravery results in him scoring from a set piece with Arsenal still having trouble defending crosses.
Match Facts & Stats
Chelsea arrive at Highbury with a dismal record. The last time they left North London with all the spoils, in a league match, was back in 1990 when John Bumstead netted from a Gordon Durie long throw. However, Chelsea have enjoyed sucess in the cups with Claudio Ranieri enjoying a definitive Chelsea moment in 2003-2004 when Wayne Bridge netted the winner. Luca Vialli also pioneered a sucess when his team routed Arsenal 5-0 in a Coca Cola Cup game.
Match Prediction:
In a close encounter don’t be surprised if the spoils are shared. 1-1 seems a likely outcome.
Next Fixtures:
Chelsea entertain Fulham on Boxing Day in the first leg of the West London Cup Final.