Arsenal vs Chelsea
Competition: Premier League
Date: 24 January 2016 - Time: 16:00 GMT
Date: 24 January 2016 - Time: 16:00 GMT
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Top of the English Premier League, 13 places and 19 points ahead of their
opponents, Arsenal team enter this match on the back of two consecutive draws
- 3:3 at Liverpool and 0-0 at Stoke. Arsene Wenger's men are the 2nd
best home side in the division, picking up 23 points from their ten home
games. The Gunners have scored 16 and conceded just four in their last
eight home league games.
Theo Walcott looks set to continue on the left of the attacking midfield trio in Wenger’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, with Joel Campbell perhaps getting the nod ahead of Chamberlain on the right. The back four of Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal should remain unchanged. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are both fit to play some part. Mohamed Elneny is still awaiting his Arsenal debut with fellow midfielder Francis Coquelin back in training but will not feature, nor will Welbeck, Santi Cazorla or Jack Wilshere.
Theo Walcott looks set to continue on the left of the attacking midfield trio in Wenger’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, with Joel Campbell perhaps getting the nod ahead of Chamberlain on the right. The back four of Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal should remain unchanged. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are both fit to play some part. Mohamed Elneny is still awaiting his Arsenal debut with fellow midfielder Francis Coquelin back in training but will not feature, nor will Welbeck, Santi Cazorla or Jack Wilshere.
Chelsea team are unbeaten since sacking Mourinho but they have failed to climb
the standings as they have recorded just one victory in their last five
games in the EPL. They laso have recorded back to back draws
in the last two fixtures - 2:2 to West Brom and 3-3 to Everton - both
at home. Furthermore, the Blues have won just twice on the road in the
league so far this campaign – losing five of their 10 matches in the
process.
Both Costa and Hazard are doubtful. The Spaniard suffered a bruised shin against Everton while the Belgian has missed the last three games with a groin injury. Pedro looks the most likely to make way should Hazard be handed a start, while Oscar will be looking to earn a recall. Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta are expected to continue in the full-back positions while Radamel Falcao remains out.
Arsenal have lost five and drawn three of the eight league meetings against Chelsea since their 5-3 win over four years ago. Anyway, three of the last four league meetings between the teams have resulted in draws. In six of the last seven meetings between these two sides under 2.5 goals has been a winner. In this campaign, Arsenal have conceded just six league goals at the Emirates Stadium this season while Chelsea have managed only 11 goals on their travels.
Both Costa and Hazard are doubtful. The Spaniard suffered a bruised shin against Everton while the Belgian has missed the last three games with a groin injury. Pedro looks the most likely to make way should Hazard be handed a start, while Oscar will be looking to earn a recall. Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta are expected to continue in the full-back positions while Radamel Falcao remains out.
Arsenal have lost five and drawn three of the eight league meetings against Chelsea since their 5-3 win over four years ago. Anyway, three of the last four league meetings between the teams have resulted in draws. In six of the last seven meetings between these two sides under 2.5 goals has been a winner. In this campaign, Arsenal have conceded just six league goals at the Emirates Stadium this season while Chelsea have managed only 11 goals on their travels.
Arsenal last 5 matches:
28/12/15 Arsenal 2 – 0 Bournemouth02/01/16 Arsenal 1 – 0 Newcastle
09/01/16 Arsenal 3 – 1 Sunderland
13/01/16 Liverpool 3 – 3 Arsenal
17/01/16 Stoke City 0 – 0 Arsenal
Chelsea last 5 matches:
28/12/15 Man United 0 – 0 Chelsea03/01/16 Crystal Palace 0 – 3 Chelsea
10/01/16 Chelsea 2 – 0 Scunthorpe Utd
13/01/16 Chelsea 2 – 2 West Brom
16/01/16 Chelsea 3 – 3 Everton
