As derbies go, this one is vital. When Arsenal meet Chelsea at The Emirates Stadium on Sunday, the prospect of these two rivals going all out to claim superiority over the other will be one of many sub-plots all over the pitch. Former Gunner Ashley Cole will be robustly “welcomed,” back in north London, while -  should his eye and ankle heel in time -  William Gallas will be keen to add to the victory the Gunners enjoyed over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season. Yes, true, the Blues prevailed at The Emirates and in the FA Cup semi-final, but Arsene Wenger has continually remained faithful to his young talented side and has now challenged them to prove that their time has come.

Perfect antidote

Wenger was bitterly disappointed at the loss to Sunderland last Saturday and broke from his usual stance of publicly backing his players, going on record to say that the 1-0 loss was not good enough. The mid-week win over Standard Liege and Champions League progression will have proven to be the perfect antidote to the Sunderland loss, but Wenger accepted that this result was not on the players minds, but also “ not out of the players minds,” either. Having beaten Liverpool and Manchester United at home Chelsea will want to prove that they have what it takes and their experience and recent results suggest they may have.

Blues can be gotten at

However, Wenger will know that losses at Wigan and Aston Villa proves that the Blues can be gotten at, and with Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Song key players, there is every chance that Arsenal can grab the win. The loss of Robin Van Persie however is huge and with both Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs injured, Armand Traore may be given the left back birth. Didier Drogba and John Terry will look to dominate aerially, and this will be a decent test for Thomas Vermaelen and Gallas if fit, and then there is Nicolas Anelka.

Arsenal must dominate

Of course, Arsenal have to rely on their football to prevail and must dominate at home as is their way. The Gunners cannot simply sit back, but Andrey Arshavin could find himself in his favoured central position. The Russian will need to be at his lethal best as will Eduardo. Theo Walcott will need to get beyond Ashley Cole and after his strike against AZ Samir Nasri will want to find the net again. Their manager has always spoken of the average age of Arsenal’s young players, but now, it is time for the Wenger boys to come of age. 

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• Comment On This Article

•   |2009-11-29 08:16:12 Tackie
  If they play skilful ball,arsenal will win but if they play physical soccer tha
  ts abread for my team to win
  Reply

•   |2009-11-29 08:18:52 Tackie
  Arsenal without Gallas and Arshavin u are nathing in soccer.
  Reply

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