da cassino online： Arsenal fans are experiencing an all too familiar season. Initially looking like they could mount a serious title challenge this term, they’ve fallen away in a manner typical of the Gunners over the last decade. A dreadful defeat against Watford on Tuesday has left that title challenge in tatters, leaving Arsene Wenger having to answer more serious questions about the direction the club is taking.
da dobrowin： Still, what better way to ease that pressure than with a win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge?
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Victory for Arsenal in Saturday lunchtime’s kick-off would move them just six points behind Antonio Conte’s side and that’s why it’s a must-win encounter for the Blues.
Beating Arsenal would be a momentous step towards securing the Premier League title, giving them an almost unassailable lead over the Gunners. But how do they do it? This is our guide to making that happen…
Formation: 3-4-3
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Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system continues to take the Premier League by storm. Whether away to Liverpool or at home to Brentford, the Italian is steadfast in its use, recognising that it creates the perfect blend of ambition and cautiousness regardless of who the Blues face.
The key to the whole set-up is the tireless running of Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso who both perform a hybrid role, flitting between attack and defence at will.
That was never more evident than on Wednesday night against Liverpool. Moses put in a storming performance, making 52 passes, more than anyone else in team. Second in Chelsea’s passing ranks? Alonso.
They are the focal points, especially when playing against more elite competition, which Arsenal are.
In N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, they have a midfield anchor to rival any other in the Premier League which should stand them well against the possession-heavy Gunners side.
The back three compliment each other very well and in David Luiz they have a defender in peak form that has the ability to nullify even the division’s most lethal attackers.
And that front three? They speak for themselves – especially Diego Costa, who has led the Blues to the top of the table with 15 goals this season.
Arsenal’s big threat: Alexis Sanchez
There’s no doubt that if Chelsea are to secure a result then they need to find a way to deal with Alexis Sanchez. After Olivier Giroud’s faltering performance mid-week against Watford, it’s likely that Sanchez spearheads the Gunners’ attack through the middle. That’s where he’s been most effective this season.
With fifteen goals and eight assists in 23 Premier League appearances, he’s directly contributing to a goal every single matchday on average. That’s incredible form.
Chelsea’ three-man defence are going to have their hands full across the piece with the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi ready to test them down the flanks.
It’s Sanchez, supported by Ozil, that they must focus on though. If they let him out of their sights for even a second it’s probably because he’s drifted into a dangerous position and as we’ve seen this season, his clinical nature means that’s probably bad news.
The big battle: N’Golo Kante vs. Francis Coquelin
With Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka all unavailable, it falls to Francis Coquelin to take on his compatriot N’Golo Kante in the heart of midfield.
It’ll be a battle that defines the fixture. As we’ve seen on many occasions, if Kante is playing well then it usually means Chelsea are too. However, we’ve also seen that if you can combat the midfielder effectively, like Spurs’ Victor Wanyama did at White Hart Lane, then it’s a big step towards taking a victory.
Kante’s dynamic tackling and interception game will be crucial against an Arsenal team that places patience and possession above all else in their search for a goal. Breaking up that pattern is going to be key in opening up the game for the likes of Moses, Eden Hazard and Costa to exploit space in the final third.
The Frenchman could well dominate, especially against a makeshift midfield, and unless Coquelin can find a way to out-play and out-muscle him, it could be a long afternoon at Stamford Bridge for Arsenal.
The key man: Diego Costa
If there’s one player that has dragged Chelsea to the top of the tree this season then it’s Diego Costa. Often scoring at the most vital time and in tight encounters, his clinical finishing has won points by the dozen this season.
Alexis Sanchez outshone him in the previous encounter between these two teams at the Emirates in September so the onus is on the Spaniard to show he is the Premier League’s most lethal attacker.
A motivated Diego Costa is a scary thing indeed and if he turns up with the right mentality then he has the ability to bully the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny, despite their undoubted talent.
That’s what Conte will be looking for from his star man. Can the striker inspire his side to a 12-point lead over their London rivals?