Written by Cameron Sharpe for FootballFanCast.
The blueprint for this fixture has long been established in meetings between these two clubs in recent seasons. Home or away, Chelsea have been happy to sit and allow Arsenal to play their attractive football in areas which will not harm the Blues, before overpowering the Gunners in the midfield and punishing the inevitable defensive lapses.
With Arsenal confident, perhaps for the first time since they last won the title, that for all their setbacks so far, this could be their year, and with Chelsea yet to convince anyone that they are in fact over their alarming slump, the result of this fixture could be about to change.
Chelsea have an appalling record over Christmases past. From last minute equalisers conceded in home clashes against Reading and Aston Villa, to dour stalemates with Birmingham, the Blues have an unrivalled ability to gift wrap points for Premier League opposition at this time of year.
Arsenal on the other hand will surely be unable to afford another defeat here. Having won only one of the last eleven meetings with either Chelsea or Manchester United, Arsene Wenger will tell his side that should title glory be a genuine aspiration this year, that all three points must be taken from this most pivotal of London derbies.
Prediction: 1-2
[poll id=”10″]
To see the orginal article click here
