Pizy 18,984 Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 So it sounds like we'll use the same XI that started against Huddersfield with Hazard and Kova coming on in the second half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshow Luiz 2,310 Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 3 hours ago, Jason said: And yet, they still looked like a mess against City last weekend, which wasn't (much?) better than we did in the Community Shield. I know it was only a friendly back then but I remember people saying Arsenal would beat us in Dublin because they had a proper pre-season with their manager etc and yet, we outplayed them in the first half and should have won the game. Both sides are still adapting to new methods, manager etc. It will come down to who will be less shit on the day itself. That's why I'm thinking a draw. I tend to be fairly cautious, especially when people (not just here) get too optimistic. Conversely, I have optimism when people think we'll lose (re: Spurs this time last season). We're at our best when people write us off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshow Luiz 2,310 Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Don't let the title fool you. It should just be "Chelsea v. Arsenal preview". Not the Arsenal-centric title that was used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the wes 7,212 Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 sarri hinted Kovacic will get a sub run out I would started with RLC jorghino Kante against arsenal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pizy 18,984 Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Arsenal fans seem pretty confident from what I've seen. Unless we come out completely flat like we did against Huddersfield while Arse blitz us and score early I really don't think we'll lose this. I think the mentality of the team now under Sarri is far different than it was under Conte last season. The lads will now be instructed to start on the front foot and go after Arsenal rather than trying to simply contain them and counter attack. Their entire back 4 is frankly shit defensively and Cech is very uncomfortable with the ball at his feet when he's under pressure. If our attack is fluid and keeps the ball moving quickly I don't see how they keep us from scoring. Conversely, we have 2 areas in our back 4 that are very susceptible to pace and a new keeper making only his second appearence in a new league. So there are certainly areas they can exploit as well. I'm confident that we'll win this but would be very confident had this fixture been a few weeks from now instead so Hazard and Kovacic were fully caught up and match fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman60 1,343 Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Back from my cruise and I bloody didn;t get to see us against Huddersfield but we got the win. This will be a much different game for us and although we are not bad going forward,our defence worries me. I still think we will be too strong for them and we'll win. Sarri says Eden and Kovacic are not ready for 90 minutes, so give them 45 each. We need to terrorise them from the start so lets start CHO and scare the shit out of Belerin again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellzfresh 7,229 Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 1 hour ago, Pizy said: Arsenal fans seem pretty confident from what I've seen. Unless we come out completely flat like we did against Huddersfield while Arse blitz us and score early I really don't think we'll lose this. I think the mentality of the team now under Sarri is far different than it was under Conte last season. The lads will now be instructed to start on the front foot and go after Arsenal rather than trying to simply contain them and counter attack. Their entire back 4 is frankly shit defensively and Cech is very uncomfortable with the ball at his feet when he's under pressure. If our attack is fluid and keeps the ball moving quickly I don't see how they keep us from scoring. Conversely, we have 2 areas in our back 4 that are very susceptible to pace and a new keeper making only his second appearence in a new league. So there are certainly areas they can exploit as well. I'm confident that we'll win this but would be very confident had this fixture been a few weeks from now instead so Hazard and Kovacic were fully caught up and match fit. We really need to move the ball quickly in attack like Sarri mentioned because that's the only way to get past tight defences. I hope a full week of training has brought the team closer to that, because that is the base of Sarri's football, the one touch passing and quick movement to exploit the gaps before they close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelsea Legend 11 4,062 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laylabelle 9,539 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Should win this but last year's games and those stupid misses haunt me lol. Hopefully we'll be better this time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unionjack 7,531 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Right thats me off for some liquid refreshments before the game. If you see it kicking off in the Shed you will know its me. I'm going with my best mate who is a Gooner and he dared me to go with him. I'm not one to back down from a dare specially to a north Londoner!! I'm actually going wearing a scarf just so they understand my alliance. and when we score I shall be going bonkers in the middle of them so we shall see how it goes and if my mate has my back or the first to chin me haha (its been known) COYB!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueStorm1003 539 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Unionjack said: Right thats me off for some liquid refreshments before the game. If you see it kicking off in the Shed you will know its me. I'm going with my best mate who is a Gooner and he dared me to go with him. I'm not one to back down from a dare specially to a north Londoner!! I'm actually going wearing a scarf just so they understand my alliance. and when we score I shall be going bonkers in the middle of them so we shall see how it goes and if my mate has my back or the first to chin me haha (its been known) COYB!!!! I love this you nutter. I won't be able to watch the match, but I really do hope we get a win to start the season with a good mood. What better way of doing that than blowing le arse's fans expectations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAM09 7,069 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Surprised Hazard starts on the bench again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pizy 18,984 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Neither side able to field their strongest XI yet, then. Both have key players on their benches. Expect us to struggle going forward with this XI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share Posted August 18, 2018 13 minutes ago, Mana said: Where the heck is CHO and Emerson? CHO is injured apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share Posted August 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, Mana said: Where did you get that from? And even then, where's Emerson? Never mind. Ignore the post... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
communicate 2,703 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Is rlc injured? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork 1,794 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 I love Hazard, but seriously how unprofessional is it that he came back from pre season so unfit that he might not start until match day 3 or beyond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pizy 18,984 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 1 minute ago, Clockwork said: I love Hazard, but seriously how unprofessional is it that he came back from pre season so unfit that he might not start until match day 3 or beyond. It is a pretty bad look, isn't it? Especially when you see all the French players that were in the final like Kante, Pogba, Lloris etc all starting games already. Think he obviously could've started here but wouldn't last too long. Better to not risk anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabama 1,992 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 If this is how Sarri will sideline Emerson and keep Alonso as the starting left back...I am sorry Sarri gets will soon get messy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pizy 18,984 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 1 minute ago, eemanyooel said: If this is how Sarri will sideline Emerson and keep Alonso as the starting left back...I am sorry Sarri gets will soon get messy... If Alonso gets roasted today hopefully it'll get Sarri to consider Emerson against these bigger teams. Alonso can start against the Huddersfield's of the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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