Written by Mean Lean on Monday, 27 December 2010 12:58

The enforced winter break is over and done with, we can finally get down to business and go for the throats of our rivals Chelsea at the Emirates this evening. Apologies if Christmas is more to you than exchanging gifts and eating twice your own body weight in two days but for myself, I am glad to get back to the Arsenal and normality.

It has been a full two weeks since we underperformed at Old Trafford, giving the squad almost a mini pre season training break, a chance to shake off any niggling injuries and time for the boss to team his selected eleven together at London Colny to get everyone feeling at ease with their roles and their nearest team mates.

Guessing which players will be starting now appears more difficult than it perhaps ever has been under Arsene Wenger as his largest squad is now almost clear of injury, certainly this has not been the case for some seasons now especially almost half way through the campaign.

Wenger has so many decisions to make all over the pitch. Jack Wilshere's passing in between the lines to Cesc or the power and drive of Abou Diaby? Theo Walcott's electric pace, keeping Ashley Cole back or the coin flipping of Andrey Arshavin? moments of brilliance or on the periphery of the game. Then again, Wenger could select the ball retention and graft of both Rosicky and Denilson.

As Van Persie has had so much time to work on his fitness, both on and off the ball, I cannot imagine that he would be left out of the starting line up without their being some sort of problem. Wenger's recent comments about Chamakh being tired also points to the Dutchman being given the nod to lead the line.

Lukasz Fabianski should return in place of his younger countryman and rightly so given his fantastic form so far this season. Szczesny is a top quality prospect and he will get his chances in time.

In defence the only real section will be two of three central defenders. Arsene usually opts for the Squillaci and Koscielny partnership but with Johan Djourou available, Arsene has possibly the most physically dominating defender to deal with Arsenal's nemesis, Didier Drogba.

I would like to see Koscielny and Djourou play together but Arsene may choose the more experienced Frenchman.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Abou Diaby

More than ever, it is really about the whole team. Every player will have to be on top of their game and fight for the right to play. The team will have to now allow Chelsea any time and space to try and feed the annoying pet they have leading the line. When we have the ball, we are likely to face a well organised and well drilled team set out behind the ball. Cesc Fabregas is often paid very close attention to by Michael Essien so if Abou Diaby plays I expect much of the responsibility to fall on his shoulders to pull the Chelsea defence around with his driving bursts and bits of individual skill to make openings for Nasri, Van Persie and whoever else is trying to make a few yards of space in the penalty area.

I expect Diaby and Cesc to be rotating around in the more attacking role which should give the likes of Essien and Mikel a problem in picking up our runners.

Mean Lean's Match Prediction

Arsenal 3 (Nasri, Van Persie, Arshavin) Chelsea 1

I do not believe that Chelsea will continue beating us forever, it has to stop at some point and if there is a time to do it then why shouldn't it be this evening? We have 95% of our players fit and available, they are not in the best of form and we will be in front of our fans who should be up for this one.

The last time we beat Chelsea, Robin Van Persie struck twice at Stamford Bridge and it was the last time that Cesc and Van Persie both started against our West London rivals. We should see both of them from the beginning and hopefully they will show everyone that extra quality that we have missed in these big games.

I do not know what another defeat to our rivals will do to the team. It could do some serious mental damage to the players. We cannot allow that to happen. The squad is good enough, the are not too young. Our options off the bench are stronger than the current Champions. There should be no reason as to why we cannot win this game.

No excuses Arsenal. Show we are good enough to be Champions.

COME ON ARSENAL!!

• Add New
• RSS

Comments (17)

• 27-Dec-2010 13:40 | | silentstan  - chavs home
  

  sorry but cannot see that anything has changed from last season. we still do not have the power. same side, same result

• 27-Dec-2010 13:41 | | SuperiorChelsea
  

  This must be a joke!
  
  Chels fan here and laughing at Arsenal. You have no chance of beating us tonight. The world's best striker, the Arsenal killer - Deadly Didier will eat you for breakfast once again. Arsenal will be going down with the Christmas decorations and their season will be over before the new year.Football NEEDS a Chelsea - Man utd title race and that will be easily assured of by 10pm tonight. Enjoy Arsenal's traditional end of season party this evening.
  
  Prediction:
  
  Arsenal 1-4 Chelsea
  
  Arsenal scorer: Arshavin 81'
  
  Chelsea scorers; Drogba 11' 27' 45' Nasri og 66'

• 27-Dec-2010 13:44 | | MeanLean
  

  It is not the same side as last season. And Chelsea fan for a team beneath us in the table you are showing a lot of confidence. We shall see.

• 27-Dec-2010 13:55 | | kodoni  - mr
  

  dis is d time 2 proof doubters dat we have mature.Up gunners

• 27-Dec-2010 13:59 | | kodoni
  

  let me tell u, Drogba cannot score2day

• 27-Dec-2010 14:04 | | surrey gunner  - Prediction
  

  1. Arsenal put too much pressure on themshelves prior to a match, this is a must win game for Chelsea, but they never talk about it
  2. game pattern, chelsea very defensive initially, the counter attack, then chelsea flood mid field and Arsenal have 60% of posession
  3 Arsenal have no response
  4. Score Chelsea 3 Arsenal 1
  
  Things Arsenal can do
  
  Arshvvin tracks back and doesnt expose the full backs
  Arsenal take every opportunity to shot at goal
  Hope the Chelsea players are hyped up and get sent off
  Eissen does is usual two footed tackles and gets set off
  
  Sorry we been here before

• 27-Dec-2010 14:11 | | Gunner 4 life  - Yw
  

  Those days are gone. . . Now its time for arsenal. . . Chelsi get ready for another defeat . . .

• 27-Dec-2010 14:12 | | zama
  

  Good work on the graphic ML. Yes you are right, another defeat to them is unthinkable.
  I'll say right now I'll take a draw with open arms. But a win could really kick-start our season for the umpteenth time this year.
  What I really want us to do is knock the stuffing out of those effing knobs once and for all and not just for the bragging rights, but to show everyone what we can really do.
  Enuff of this men vs boys bullshit, I am sick of seeing A-hole bleating about how he has won "fings" with Chelsea. F*ck you all. We are the ARSENAL ... time to show it is now.
  PS: Sorry for the expletives, like a crack addict I do get cranky without my Arsenal fix.

• 27-Dec-2010 14:14 | | Gunner 4 life  - Yw
  

  Those days are gone. . . Now its time for arsenal. . . Chelsi get ready for another defeat . . .

• 27-Dec-2010 15:46 | | sena  - Time
  

  Chelski will be gunned down today. The past three seasons history will change.We used to beat them before Morinho and we shall repeat it starting from today.
  COME ON GUNNERS
  Result Arsenal 3 Chelsik 1

• 27-Dec-2010 16:25 | | Bala
  

  I think we have to score first to get our confidence going and that would also allow Chelsea to come to us rather than the other way around.And something non related I was waiting for your preview on Twitter and I think U forgot to update it.

• 27-Dec-2010 17:32 | | Boris Godunov  - Hope against Uglies
  

  I'd like to see two strikers start at home no matter who we face. We simply don't create enough chances against the uglies of the world. There has to be more direct approach in big games.

• 27-Dec-2010 18:17 | | richie
  

  Your right Mother Superior, Chelski even with fairy godmother "Abromo" are a joke in terms of who you are.
  Your ground's in Fulham which is probably why you've never had much support. Its why your history virtually started with roman. Yes your Jewish Russian has bought you loads of presents, but even he can't buy you history traditions and supporters. Our season might well come down with the Xmass tree's but your club will return to the obscurity its always enjoyed when the Russian gets bored with his current play thing and goes back home. You go back home to Fulham and ask your sugar daddy to buy you your own blog, and then you can stay away from other peoples blogs there's a good boy.

• 27-Dec-2010 18:40 | | richie  - Team selection
  

  I'd love us to start with 2 up top. I'd leave Kosh out and play Djourou & Squilla. Essien is often the key for them he's a great DM. So in the middle of the park I think Diaby (If he's fit and maybe only for 45mins) would be a handful for Essien and alongside Song he'd offer protection to Cesc and Nasri.
  Up front I'd still play Chamakh (he should be rested by now they all should) because his movement up front will create space and RvP of course could exploite it.
  
  Time for us to restake our claim!
  Up The Arse!!

• 27-Dec-2010 22:06 | | zama  - Superior Chelshit
  

  @ Superior Chelsea, if thats what you call superior, can we play you every week? Mug

• 27-Dec-2010 22:52 | | richie
  

  Yet again I find Arsene knows more than me!
  He didn't play Chamakh until the end and by then we were 3-1 up
  He also only played Diaby late on.
  He did I'm very pleased to say play Djourou who played very well!
  We restated our claim!

• 27-Dec-2010 22:59 | | AllGunsBlazing  - @ Superior Chelsea
  

  "Football NEEDS a Man Utd - Chelsea title race..."
  
  I'd be more worried about CL place for next year if I were you, basically 9 points off the pace. Bolton for Europe!
  
  As zama said, can we play you every week?
  
  Deadly Didier was like a cuddly little puppy, being STAMPED on by Johann Djourou.

Write comment

Your Details:

Name:

Comment:

Title:

Message:

Powered by Compojoom comment 4.1.7 stable