Good morning.
Tomorrow Arsenal visits Stamford Bridge and I won't deny I'm a little nervous about this one.
We haven't exactly been at our best last time we went there, while our overall record against the Blues leaves a lot to be desired. We've last beaten Chelsea in 2012, when a hat-trick from a certain Dutch ensured we came out on top 5-3, but it's been no bed of roses since then.
Arsenal's record against Mourinho's Chelsea is worse still, with no wins in eleven games. However, I'm with Wenger on this one (surprise, surprise):
“I don’t deny that history is against us with Chelsea. The thing about top teams is that they make history and they change history.”
Do I think we have what it takes to bring down Chelsea? Absolutely. Yes, we still have 7 players out, 5 of whom would have made the squad, but it was basically the same story in midweek.
With that settled, let's try putting a comprehensive squad together.
The back five
Although Monreal can be back (which is certainly a boost), I don't expect any changes in defense. Gibbs is blossoming right now, so much so he received a call-up to the national side. Delightfully, he got one at the expense of that ignorant and overrated Man United left-back. But it's just an observation, which, I think, has little to do with Gibbs's participation tomorrow.
However, I strongly believe Arsene should drop Szczesny, or at least consider doing it. I've softened my stance towards the Pole's red and I realise it's unlikely AW will bench Wojciech after just one mistake, but he still should consider it. Ospina had a very good game on Wednesday, answering all the critics who crawled out of their holes after the Saints' match. Moreover, the Colombian will surely need practise before we play Anderlecht. Tomorrow may be the time to provide him with some.
The midfield
Here we have another dilemma. I'm pretty sure Flamini will continue in his holding position after a strong performance on Wednesday, but who starts further up the pitch is another question entirely.
Playing a partnership of Cazorla and Ozil may worked against Gala, but I think we'll have one hell of a hard time breaking up Chelsea's attacks with such a duo. We are going to need someone more sound defensively to not lose the midfield battle.
Shifting Ozil out wide to keep Cazorla in the centre of the park is not an option, as far as I'm concerned. It'll mean inviting Chelsea to attack down that flank and with players like Hazard and Schurrle they may reap the benefits. So Ozil should remain where he was, not the least because his best games came when the German was deployed under the striker.
He'll need someone who'll play closer to defense in this scenario, and with Arteta and Ramsey out, Wilshere remains our only option. Not that it's a bad option, Jack is just no Viera or Gilberto when it comes to defending.
The attack
It's obvious Alexis and Welbeck should start after their brilliant performance, but who'll occupy the other flank? In my opinion, it's a two-horse race between the Ox and Cazorla.
And, once again, I'm not sure Cazorla is an ideal option. The little Spaniard is less of a runner-tracker than Oxlade, while he's also less physical. It's still fiendishly hard to dispossess Santi though, while he's also instrumental at performing the transition from defense to attack, so it's a close call.
The verdict
“Chelsea have always been a good team - no matter which year you go there, they have a good team. It’s not too much about them, it’s about what we will do, how much we are ready to put the work rate, effort and togetherness in to get the result. That’s what will make it.”
That about sums it up. The Blues are strong, they have become stronger still with the addition of Costa, Matic and Cesc, but we've seen before how we can beat anyone if we catch our rhythm.
There is a question, of course, which tactic would be the most beneficial for us? Do we sit back and hit them on the counter or do we seize control of the ball and go all guns-blazing?
The former scenario may have worked a year ago, but I'm not so sure it will now. Without Ramsey and Debuchy we are less sound defensively. Actually, I'm still wrapping my head around this transformation. Surely Chambers and Flamini know how to defend? Why have our clean sheets dried up? Why can't we be as solid now as were a year ago? Is the change of formation to blame? Is is the question of adapting to it? If you feel like it, you can read more on the subject in Tim Stilman's weekly column over on Arseblog.
Anyway, back to how we approach our opposition and I'm inclined to think we'll try to take the game to Chelsea. It's just what we do normally and given the wealth of our attacking talent it may be the most sensible thing to do. It yields the potential danger of exposing ourselves to their counter-attacks, however, so a balance should be found. Just don't use that high pressing line and we may nick the three points.
One last thing: Cesc. How should we treat him? It's hard to say, really. The most sensible suggestion I've seen on Twitter is ignoring our former captain. Cheering a guy who went on strike to leave would be strange, to say the least, but booing someone who has played for eight years is also kind of immature and disrespectful. Unless he scores and celebrates van Persie or Adebayor-style.
That's it for now. Back Sunday or Monday with a review.