Arsenal are on a high after winning their match against Stoke City with a comfortable 2-0 scoreline, but their next test is Chelsea who are currently sitting at 17th in the league table after losing 3 of the 5 premier league matches played so far. Arsene Wenger, having already won the Community Shield this year against Chelsea will be planning to do the same this time around.
However, Jose Mourinho, the master tactician will have something up his sleeve to thwart the Arsenal side next week at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea would like to get back to winning ways and will prove to be a much tougher side at home and the Gunners will need to improve on all the three fronts to challenge the champions in their own backyard.
1 . The Attack
Considering the fact that Arsenal have a midweek match against Dinamo Zagreb, Wenger would like to rest some of his players before their trip to Stamford Bridge. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation with Walcott on the right hand side and Giroud as a lone striker while Ozil and Sanchez through the middle and the left hand side will be a much better option considering the Chelsea defence. Sanchez can be a nightmare for Branislav Ivanovic who is already having a torrid time this season.
With his pace and precision and his nifty footwork he can whip the ball in from the wide areas for Giroud. The presence of muscle in the middle is absolutely necessary, hence Giroud, who will be up against Zouma and Terry or Cahill will be the focal point of the attack. Ozil can play his precision balls down the middle while Walcott, if played down the right can work his magic and make some really good runs inside the Chelsea defence. If all goes well then this attack will be a nightmare for the Chelsea back four.
2 . The defensive midfield
Coquelin and Cazorla will have to be at their best to hold their own when they have to deal with Matic and Fabregas. With Matic tailing Cazorla it will be hard for the Arsenal midfielder to stamp his authority on the game. It will be a difficult task for Coquelin as well to block and press Fabregas and thwart the ex-Arsenal captain from playing those incisive passes that can cut down any defence in half. Arsene Wenger will have to work on his defensive midfielders to control the game or else it will be hard to contain Chelsea.
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The defence
With players like Hazard, Willian, Pedro, Costa and Remy in the Chelsea ranks it will be a tough ask for the Arsenal defence to contain them. It will be interesting to see Hector Bellerin against Hazard and how he deals with the multi talented midfielder. Taming Costa or Remy will be difficult but with the experience of Koscielny and the energy and youth of Paulista it will be an interesting match up.
The Gunners have their morale boosted up and the Blues will be determined to get back to winning ways, so expect some fireworks when Arsene Wenger prepares to take on Jose Mourinho for the first time in the league this season and not to forget the emotional return of Petr Cech to Stamford Bridge.
The football fans will be waiting for this one!