It’s the battle at the Bridge as London-rivals, Chelsea and Arsenal renew their rivalry on the footballing pitch. As Arsenal manager takes his side to Stamford Bridge in charge of his 1000th game, will Jose Mourinho play a party pooper?
It’s the battle at the Bridge as London-rivals, Chelsea and Arsenal renew their rivalry on the footballing pitch. As Arsenal manager takes his side to Stamford Bridge in charge of his 1000th game, will Jose Mourinho play a party pooper? Wenger has never beaten ‘The Special One’ in their previous 10-meetings so can the Frenchman end that drought? We find out key men who could come to the fore in this crunch EPL title clash.
Arsenal
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The former Southampton starlet is taking huge strides as far as his Arsenal career is concerned. After a setback to winger Theo Walcott, the Gunners were bereft of options in the pace department but with the arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from injury, Arsene is smiling again! His pace and strength in the midfield drives the team forward in attack and could set the tone in the key clash against rivals, Chelsea.
Per Mertesacker
Apart from the failings at Liverpool and Manchester City, German defender Per Mertesacker has been rock solid at the back with his other half, Laurent Koscielny to remaining astute. With Arsenal renewing his contract, Mertesacker needs to be vigil in order to the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Eden Hazard.
Tomas Rosicky
After his cracker of a goal at the White Hart Lane, Tomas Rosicky will be spurned on to score another. Arsenal are without key players in the midfield department with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey out injured. Tomas is widely known for his creative capabilities and it will be widely required when Arsenal take on Chelsea.
Mathieu Flamini
Over the years, Arsene’s team were known to do the ‘dirty work’ in the midfield department with the likes of Patrick Viera and Emmanuel Petit setting the tone. Frenchman Mathieu Flamini has carried on the tradition forward and with the likes of Oscar and Eden Hazard in the oppostite ranks, Flamini’s services are a must!
Chelsea
John Terry
Chelsea’s most dependable defender at the back, John Terry is a hard nut to crack. Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is known to give the opposition defenders a torrid time but the former England skipper will be waiting for this dual.
Eden Hazard
Belgian winger Eden Hazard who has been one of the most influential players on the pitch for Chelsea this season, remains one of the potent threats for the opposition. His wizardry, creative capabilities and pace can give the Arsenal full-backs a torrid evening to remember.
Oscar
With fellow Brazilian Ramires out suspended, much of the midfield work will depend on the shoulders of Oscar. The midfield maestro is known to cut defences and it will be required when Arsenal arrive with their cavalry at the Stamford Bridge.
So the stage is set for the Gunners’ greatest manager, Arsene Wenger to charge of his 1000th game against one of his arch-nemesis, Jose Mourinho. ‘The Special One’ has never lost a game in each of his EPL games (75) but Wenger will be looking to deflate those stats. Can the Frenchman cause an upset?
