Arsenal had not won at Stamford Bridge for 17 seasons and Chelsea had registered their only defeat of the campaign. The Gunners last beat us in October 2011 when they won 5-3 at Stamford Bridge including a hat-trick from Robin van Persie. Andre Villas-Boas was Chelsea manager. The Gunners have won seven away Premier League games at Stamford Bridge, more than any other club. Our last 10 league meetings at Stamford Bridge 2003/04 - Arsenal won 2-1 2004/05 - Drew 0-0 2005/06 - Chelsea won 1-0 2006/07 - Drew 1-1 2007/08 - Chelsea won 2-1 2008/09 - Arsenal won 2-1 2009/10 - Chelsea won 2-0 2010/11 - Chelsea won 2-0 2011/12 - Arsenal won 5-3 2012/13 - Chelsea won 2-1 Other matches this season 29 October 2013 Capital One Cup fourth round Arsenal………..…….0 Chelsea…..……….….2 Azpilicueta 25 Mata 65 Att: 59,455 23 December 2013 Barclays Premier League Arsenal….….……..…..0 Chelsea………..……0 Att: 60,039 Chelsea v Arsenal in all competitions Games played 181 Chelsea wins 57 Arsenal wins 71 Draws 53 Head to head in the League at Stamford Bridge Games played 76 Chelsea wins 26 Arsenal wins 25 Draws 25 Biggest league win at Stamford Bridge for each team 27/09/1969 - Chelsea 3-0 Arsenal 29/11/1930 - Chelsea 1-5 Arsenal DAYS SINCE Chelsea lost to Arsenal: 875 Arsenal won a trophy: 3,227 Liverpool won the league: 8,722 TACTICAL BRIEF Arsene Wenger was mocked for his suggestion finishing fourth was a trophy in itself, but Arsenals regular high place in the injury list table is less acceptable and he pledged to review medical and training approaches at the club. Mesut Ozil (hamstring) and Ryo Miyaichi (ankle ligament) joined Jack Wilshere (broken foot) as the latest casualties, while Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Abou Diaby remain long-term absentees. Tomas Rosicky will have a fitness test on an ankle. Chelseas main problems arise from decisions made by referee Chris Foy last weekend, the second yellow for Willian being the contentious one. The Brazilian serves a one-game ban today while for his compatriot, Ramires , who deservedly saw red late in the same game, this is the first of three. Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah return after their Champions League ineligibility. Matics physical presence will always come in handy against the Gunners, who are not the most powerfully built of sides. Frank Lampard , outstanding in the comfortable defeat of Galatasaray, may make way for David Luiz to return from injury to partner the Serbian in what could be the crucial battleground of the match. Willian s speed and nimble footwork will be especially missed against an Arsenal side that always try to get off to a flying start - the early strike by Rosicky at White Hart Lane last Sunday being a prime example. The Gunners were less impressive as an attacking force after that, with passes increasingly going astray, but demonstrated the greater defensive resolve that has served them well this campaign. However, there are still weaknesses in their set-up, especially in defensive midfield and in wide areas at the back. In some ways Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has thrived in a deeper midfield role, his surging runs changing the shape of play and creating openings in the final third. That has taken on greater significance in the absence of Theo Walcotts pace and Aaron Ramseys Lampard-like willingness to get behind defences. Arsenals other attacking midfielders, such as Rosicky or Santiago Cazorla prefer to play in front of the opposition defence, looking for short probing passes or shots from the edge of the box. Lukas Podolski is probably the most goal-aware of Wengers options in that area. Ahead of them Olivier Giroud has been a decent leader of the line but does not have the pace or elusiveness to worry defences in that way. He also looked fatigued against Spurs, losing control and misplacing passes. Whether Oxlade-Chamberlain has the tactical discipline to complete the remainder of his new central midfield role is another matter. His partner there, Mikel Arteta, is more of an anchor but will have his work cut out dealing with whoever is in the trio behind Chelseas striker. Chelsea were guilty of being caught offside seven times at Villa Park, meaning seven promising attacks were ended prematurely and avoidably. (The Blues have the leagues worst record with 86 calls.) Arsenals regular central defensive pair of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have been very solid this season but the former can on occasions be sluggish and is not the best tackler, while his partner sometimes drifts out of position and is inclined to occasional lapses. It could be a day for the stealth of Sammy Etoo rather than the physical presence of Demba Ba or Fernando Torres , who is still finding form after his recent lay-off. With Hazard in devastating form and Oscar on Tuesday playing his way back to the level of early season, perhaps the one vacant position in the front four will go to Andre Schurrle , a substitute for Eden Hazard in the league game at Emirates in late December. Schurrle would be deputed to help ensure the attacking threat of full-backs Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna is minimised, as well as to exploit their absence if they do. This was a fruitful area for Spurs in the derby last weekend, but the Lilywhites could not convert their chances. In chasing back, Arsenals full-backs and defensive midfielders are liable to concede fouls. Hazards ingenuity and dribbling are remarkable and he has Instagrammed his ripped socks to show the kind of illegal attention opponents are giving the most fouled player in the top flight. It is worth noting that Arsenals excellent away form this season has dipped in the last few weeks while Chelseas domestic resilience has endured. Only Man City (with 16) have scored more late goals in the Premier League than Chelseas 15.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 10:33:36 +0000
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