Chelsea v Arsenal: Will this be another away day horror show for Wenger?
Chelsea were stunned by QPR last weekend in an action-packed game at Loftus Road and lost ground on the leaders Manchester City. This weekend they entertain a resurgent Arsenal side with a potent Robin Van Persie in attack. Can the Blues overcome their QPR nightmare to see off the Gunners or will Wenger mastermind Arsenal's first win at Stamford Bridge in three years?
After a sticky start at Stamford Bridge, Andre Villas-Boas has stamped his mark on the squad. They are playing with much more flair and impetus, and Fernando Torres, who will be available for selection again following his three-game suspension, is starting to look like a real £50 million striker.
They will still be seething with some of the decisions that went against them last weekend against QPR, but despite playing a large chunk of the match with only nine men, Chelsea deserved something from the game.
In contrast, Arsenal saw off a stubborn Stoke side last Sunday, but only after Robin Van Persie came off the bench to rescue them. Quite where Arsenal would be without their Flying Dutchman doesn't bare thinking about. Wenger refutes the suggestion that Arsenal are a one player team, but he must be praying every night that Van Persie avoids picking up any sort of injury.
The Gunners have lost their last two visits to Stamford Bridge, 2-0 on both occasions, but they beat the Blues 3-1 at the Emirates in a pulsating clash over the festive period last season.
Chelsea haven't lost at home all season, but they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their Premier League clashes at the Bridge. Arsenal meanwhile are still searching for their first away win of the season. Their only point on the road came on the opening day against Newcastle and the wounds of the Manchester United debacle are still fresh in the memory of every Arsenal fan.
Chelsea have the ability to blitz the Gunners out of sight, but the Gunners have improved considerably over the past few weeks. They are just six points behind Chelsea and their hopes of finishing in the top four are now as far fetched as some critics suggest. However, I believe that this challenge has come a month too soon for Arsene Wenger.
Chelsea v Arsenal; Kick Off 12.45pm October 29 2011
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
4 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBC |
V |
TBC |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
1 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
Chelsea are expected to get back to winning ways.
Home: 25; Draw: 8; Away: 1. TBC 1
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
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