Wednesday’s London derby will be the first of 2018 and possibly the most important. The derby could decide hopes and apparitions of Chelsea and Arsenal based on the result. Both teams are stuck trying to catch Manchester City but now points against a top six opponents can be the deciding point of a season.
What the Fixture means to Arsenal
Arsenal are currently, at time of writing, sitting in 5th place and are 6 points behind 4th place Liverpool. Arsenal could go multiple ways depending on the result. The Gunners with a loss will have an uphill battle looking for Champions league action in the following season if they fall behind. The title chances seem gone in January, which is unheard of for an Arsene Wenger team. Poor early results have led them to this point of fighting for the European places. To compile the misery, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil may also be playing their final game vs Arsenal in a Gunners shirt. A win for the north London club could go a long way for multiple. Fans would hold pride over London rivals, last chance to convince Ozil and Sanchez to stay, and send a message to other top six teams that they aren’t out of it yet.
What the Fixture means to Chelsea
Chelsea have had nothing to complain about this season. In 3rd place and looking like the team to challenge Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The window of opportunity is closing fast but Chelsea players have not given up hope on title. A win would continue to chase the cityzens along with being a revenge for the fixture the season before. The last time Antonio Conte’s men visited the Emirates, the Blues were dispatched in a 3-0 loss which sparked a 13-game win streak. A loss could lock up the title for the Sky Blues, and would open doors for Arsenal and Tottenham to climb the table.
Key to Victory for Arsenal
With Mesut Ozil’s fitness in doubt, Jack Wilshere will be the creative force from the center of the field and will look to supply the front line of Sanchez, Lacazette, and Iwobi. Wilshere will have freedom to roam the channels while Xhaka does the defensive work. Injuries to Koscielny and Kolasinac force change in the defense but still should line up in a 3-4-3. With that said, the wingbacks will be important as they provide with and try to spread the Chelsea defense apart. Set pieces have been key for the Gunners in recent matchups as the came closest to scoring in the first matchup from a Mustafi header. The last goal scored against Chelsea also a set piece was a Sead Kolasinac header in the eventual Community Shield victory.
Key to Victory for Chelsea
A fully rested Eden Hazard can be expected in the Chelsea starting lineup with Morata pairing him up front. Conte will line up his two strikers with three midfielders and the back five holding the steady defense. Bakayoko will be able to roam around with Fabregas providing service for the two hitmen of Hazard and Morata. The key matchup will be Alonso verse Bellerin with the two wing-backs looking to get forward and provide to the forwards. Bellerin can not be matched with his pace which can expose Chelsea if Alonso joins the attack. Providing the pressure early will wear down the tired legs of the Gunners coming off two days rest. The midfield over load and physicality will win balls up the field and will trouble Arsenal.
How will the fixture finish?
The first time these teams meet this season a 0-0 draw was deserved after a hard-fought battle. Both teams had chances and were both missing key players through injury, (Chelsea, Hazard, and Arsenal, Ozil and Sanchez) With both teams needing to secure points neither team will have a sense of urgency to go forward. Both teams will work of the counter attack and hope catch the opposition sleeping on the break. There are too many stars on the field for a goal not to be scored. An individual effort from Hazard, Sanchez, or Lacazette is always on the table. I see Chelsea scoring first and Arsenal controlling the tempo in the second half and eventually find an equalizer finishing in a 1-1 draw. A set piece goal will be on the table as both team are efficient in that department.
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