closed Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea

[bigbluewillie 1,805]

On 12/31/2017 at 8:19 PM, the wes said:

Kolasinac and koscielny got injured against West Brom hope mertesacker the snail plays so hazard can rip him a new ass 😂😂😂

Thing is if you remember the last time we played them Mertesacker came back after a long time injury and had a blinder stopped everything.

[cosmicway 1,247]

A derby match of sorts.
Arsenal at home always pose difficulties.
But they are one class below us at this moment.

 

[Unionjack 7,531]

Looking on a gooner site and these are aparently their options

4-3-3 formation he has used recently

Cech
Bellerin Mustafi Chambers Maitland-Niles
Wilshere Coquelin Xhaka
Iwobi Lacazette Sanchez

Using a back 3

Cech
Holding Mustafi Chambers
Bellerin Wilshere Xhaka Maitland-Niles
Iwobi Lacazette Sanchez

This would leave Walcott, Welbeck, Elneny, Ospina and Mertesacker on the bench.

[Fulham Broadway 16,386]

Played for L'Arse and us;

Cech

Diarra Gallas Pates Ashley

Rocastle Hollins Hudson George Graham Petit Fabregas Graham (cough) Rix

Baldwin Anelka Clive Allen

Feel free to add if anyone thinks pf any more....

[Pizy 17,860]

So literally every one of our rivals won these past couple of days. Massive pressure on us now to maintain our form and get 3 points. 

[Special Juan 27,093]

3 man midfield needed here of Kante, Drinkwater and Cesc.

[Antonio8 736]

easy win today 

[Tomo 21,681]

14 minutes ago, Mana said:

Conte only won 1 out of his 5 matches against Arsenal. 3 defeats, 1 draw.

This is no laughing matter. We have to beat these guys now, don't care if it's at the Emirates.

Lose this game, and we give United, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal a massive boost.

We should be able to beat Arsenal. Our team is better than theirs. It's just a matter on what Conte puts out. I beg Conte to not go to the Emirates with a defensive mind like the other times. You failed Conte each time you do that. Switch it up and you know...go with an attacking mind? Their defense is suspect!

The only two times Conte has truly gone defensive at Chelsea was Spurs this season and Anfield last. You could argue his sketchy record against Arsenal is due to opening up a bit too much, especially with this fixture last season.

[Pizy 17,860]

Lots of talk about an injury crisis for Arsenal but I'm not buying that they'll have so many players out. I'll bet all the players Wenger says have a small chance of playing will indeed play. Still expecting them to send out a strong team with maybe 2-3 weak areas that we can exploit.

I think Conte will definitely start Bakayoko so I hope he really steps up here. That's the area of the pitch where we should have a massive advantage if we play with 3 in midfield and Bakayoko plays well. 

Our players need to show some heart and some balls tonight. Realize what's on the line and the situation around us. With the title obviously long gone there are only 3 CL places to fight for. With Spuds steadily improving and with Liverpool in red hot form plus signing VVD we don't want to slip up here. We can effectively end Arsenal's chances of catching us with a win tonight. That's a huge incentive.

We've got very winnable matches coming up after Arsenal whilst Liverpool have City and Spuds. Another opportunity to solidify our position in the top 4.

[Unionjack 7,531]

I'm off to lubricate the vocal chords make a long day of it and check out a few bars as theres penty around the area (and Kebab Shops). Will be at the White Swan or auld triangle if anyones about.

Its OK Ive had all my shots and passports valid! See you in cold North London guys.

Come on You Blues!!!

[LeonDavis23 371]

Expecting a draw here, which would make the race for the last 2 spots in top 4 very interesting between us, pool & spuds.

[Tomo 21,681]

5 minutes ago, LeonDavis23 said:

Expecting a draw here, which would make the race for the last 2 spots in top 4 very interesting between us, pool & spuds.

Us, Liverpool and Spurs are getting the last 3 places im pretty sure.

[samzilla 517]

We've been absolutely dire against Arsenal lately.  I still have nightmares over the community shield...they played us off the pitch.  But what better time than now to turn things around!  New year, new attitude!

[Milan 17,835]

No red card for us would be a good start.

[DDA 9,570]

27 minutes ago, samzilla said:

We've been absolutely dire against Arsenal lately.  I still have nightmares over the community shield...they played us off the pitch.  But what better time than now to turn things around!  New year, new attitude!

I was there with the Mrs. Was painful to watch. We need Drogba for this one!

[LAM09 6,535]

Us, Liverpool and Spurs are getting the last 3 places im pretty sure.

I'd expect Utd to make it instead of Spurs.

[Pizy 17,860]

Cahill trying to mark and defend that front 3 of Lacazette, Sanchez, and Özil looks like an area they'll try to really exploit.

Their attack looks every strong but their defense and midfield look very suspect. If our 3 midfielders and Hazard/Morata are sharp and at their best we should be having our way in midfield and around their box.

Only way I can see us struggling is if we come out like slow motion zombies as we've done at times this season. Take the fucking game to them!

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,733]

I refuse to believe neither Pedro or Moses can get a start here.