Arsenal v Chelsea: Potential Title Decider?
Posted by Young'un in Arsenal | 26 November 2009
This Sunday sees London, and arguably Britain's, two top sides collide in a game that could swing the door for Premier League success wide open, or equally, slam it shut. Now I know that I am talking in the extreme here but I don't think the importance of this game should be overlooked. A Chelsea win at The Emirates would see them go an incredible 11 points clear of The Arsenal; a deficit I don't think this side is capable of recovering from, especially with Chelsea producing the sort of consistency needed to win a title as challenging as the Premier League. However, an Arsenal win, a possibility not to be dismissed with The Gunners boasting a 100% record at home in all competitions, would close the gap to 5 points, with a game in hand on Ancelotti's men. That game being Bolton at The Emirates, one I am prepared to judge as a nailed-on home win. Therefore, Chelsea would hold a slender 2 point lead, that could of course be overturned in one game.
While Chelsea's players are miraculously recovering in time for this clash, Arsene Wenger seems to be suffering the reverse effect. Kieran Gibbs limped off with a (this time) confirmed broken foot while William Gallas is a doubt with a swollen eye. Arsenal will also be without Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby, Gael Clichy and Robin van Persie amongst other fringe players. So, the boss has a selection dilemma, particularly at left back, and up top. Does he go with the young, energetic, yet inexperienced Armand Traore? Or the mistake-prone veteran that is Mikael Silvestre? Though it should not be too much of a problem, with Chelsea's width generally coming down their left, through Malouda or Zhirkov, as Michael Ballack or sometimes even Michael Essien are deployed on the right, so the Arsenal left back, whoever he may be, should not have to worry about being bamboozled by pace and stepovers.
Assuming Wenger continues with a trio of frontmen, he has a particularly challenging dilemma in deciding who will spearhead the attack in Robin van Persie's absence, as well as the supporting two either side. Against Sunderland, unsuccessfully, he opted for Eduardo, the obvious choice, but many feel he isn't cut out for being the 'primary' striker. While on Tuesday, Carlos Vela was the man deployed through the middle, and to be honest, did little to stake a claim for a starting berth against Chelsea. The contenders for the three positions are: Eduardo, Andrey Arshavin, Carlos Vela, Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Eboue, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky.
Here is my Arsenal team for the weekend, assuming Gallas is available:
Almunia
Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore
Denilson, Song, Fabregas
Arshavin, Walcott, Eduardo
I have picked this XI because, firstly, Traore can add the attacking threat that Silvestre can't. And because of this, I have drafted in Denilson, who can support Song defensively, while providing Fabregas the freedom he thrives on to punish teams. I have chosen Walcott because he is direct, his pace will trouble defenders, and I think with his final ball needing work, he could be more effective at the 'arrowhead,' hanging on the shoulder of the last defender, ala Michael Owen in his glory days. Fabregas and Arshavin will provide the ammunition, while Eduardo can cut in from the left and provide a further goal threat. This can be particularly effective as Walcott's movement can drag defenders away and provide Eduardo with the kind of space in the box Chelsea won't want him to have. While incredibly talented, perhaps Rosicky and Nasri are both a bit too 'elaborate' for a game of this magnitude, not to mention the fact they have both only recently returned from injuries. With the likes of Arshavin and Walcott we are more direct, therefore can play at a quicker tempo which will ruffle the feathers of an ageing Chelsea side. Of course, if the goals aren't coming, Rosicky and Nasri can be brought on to add a bit more creativity, as can Vela, who, if on song, can help turn a game, either by providing a cool head in the box or creating space for others. And they say we have no strength in depth!
But will Wenger pick this team? That's anybody's guess. All I can say is that she has to get it right. Here's to an Arsenal win. And hopefully no Eboue!
Comments
Good team selection. However, I see Arsene putting Eboue on at LB, for safety, pace and width. Nothing will inspire him to play more than having to be against some of his Ivorien teammates. Playing Traore is a risk i dont see Wenger taking, tbh.
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