Chelsea (a) at Arsenal - 16/12/07 - match thread

[MannyJello]

Here it comes, the big one, the first chance for Avram to take on one of the big boys (chalking up his first game against ManU as being too difficult with the instability).

The chance for us to pull even with Arsenal after we spotted them such an early lead in the standings.

The chance for us to shake the confidence of the young players at Arsenal who have never dealt with the kind of pressure we have handled the past 4 or 5 years.

My guess:

--------------Cech-------------------

---Belletti--Terry--Carvalho--A.Cole---

-----Mikel---Lampard---Makalele------

---J.Cole---------------------Kalou---

------------Shevchenko--------------

Bench: Carlo, Alex, Bridge, SWP, Pizarro

[Nibs]

As a born pessimist I am not at all confident about this one. Great that the Gooners have dropped 5 points in the last two games but looks like Fabregas and Van Persie could well be available for them and when I look at our options now it really isn't that inspiring. Cannot see Sheva or Kalou posing their defence that many problems nor Pizarro for that matter, so it puts a lot of pressure on Lamps and Joe to produce - just hope they can. I am also worried about Mikel's temperament in big games like these. If we were to get reduced to 10 men we could get completely hammered.

It was not that long ago that we seemed to have so much competition for places with a lot of quality on the bench. Now I am struggling to select a starting 11 where I feel every player merits a place.

I'd be more than happy with a draw.

[morris]

Was feeling confident about this one until I heard hleb , fibreglass , and van persie are back. I think a draw would be a good result now.

[The Moos]

We are goin to lose. I just know it.

[abramovich]

My guess:

--------------Cech-------------------

---Belletti--Terry--Carvalho--A.Cole---

-----Mikel---Lampard---Makalele------

---J.Cole---------------------Kalou---

------------Shevchenko--------------

Bench: Carlo, Alex, Bridge, SWP, Pizarro

I'd probably pick the same lineup only with one minor switch ;Paulo for Beletti, as he is better defensively. With Carvalho still out and slow paced Alex in his place we'll need to be very tight at the back.

Without Essien and Ballack the midfield trio picks itself. While i have faith in Maka and Mikel to

do a good job protecting the back four, we'll need Frank to have one of his best attacking performances, and be our playmaker.

Sheva looked lively vs Valencia, hopefully he'll continue the same on the weekend. Joey looks like our best player at the moment and i hope he won't disappoint. It's a toss between SWP and Kalou since one is a poor crosser and the other a poor finisher. I'd go with Kalou for his striker/winger versatility and possibly bring in SWP later in the game when Arse defence get tired.

[JT26CFC]

We are goin to lose. I just know it.

your so optimistic Moos

I hope sheva scores just so i can have a good laugh at arsenal. van Persie's back, how great is that timing!!

[ozboy]

Generally we wouldn't pick Mikel and Maka in the same team, however maybe that is the way to go with Essien out.

I don't think we can go there too defensively minded. We know that Arsenal leak quite a lot of goals and that they can be physically knocked around a bit.

Alex has not been playing badly and I think it may be a risk starting Carvalho, him being just back.

Not sure if Ballack is up for a game, but in many ways I'd prefer to play him instead of Mikel for this one.

[mad_mac]

I doubt Carvs will be ready for this one, nor do i expect ballack to be ready either. Therefore, the back picks itself (paulo in for belletti, maybe) and the midfield 3 picks itself too. However, if ballack was ready, would you drop mikelor maka?

Scott

[BLUENUT]

We are goin to lose. I just know it.

Got the same feeling.

Last season we didn't get the result we wanted but the manager squeezed every inch of effort out of every single player. I wonder (doubt) if Avi can do the same, cos that's what it takes against our rivals.

2-1 Arsenal

[Tim]

I can actually see us stopping them scoring, but have trouble seeing us getting a goal. The ridiculous pace of their back line means Kalou and SWP shouldn't be a problem for them, and Sheva will be easily dealt with by Gallas, I reckon, so all that leaves is Joe's trickery (but he is hardly prolific when it comes to scoring, although he does ok) and Frank, who will need the freedom to surge forward if he is to get in a decent scoring position.

Nervous about this one, that's for sure.

[Chippy]

It is gonna be hard for us to open them up,

as Tim says with their quick full backs it wont be easy to run past them and when you look at Gallas he must be the best one on one defender in the league so going round him will be difficult if we get the chance,

I see our best chances coming from corners/set pieces with the likely breakthrough if there is to be one from Alex or JT (if Alex plays)

Its another no win for Grant as when we win a ground out victory its because we have the same players playing with the will to win that Jose installed but against Arsenal it's doubted Avram can instill it?

however we look at this one without Drogba this is likely worse than playing any other team in the Prem,

their speed is best countered by Drogs strength and we will miss that badly.

[MadMickC.F.C.]

Sheva to score a hatrick.

[Alan]

Cech

Beletti

JT

Alex

A.Cole

Maka

Mikel

Lampard

Joe Cole

Sheva

Kalouuuuuu

Subs: Carlo, Ben Haim, Sidwell, Pizarro, SWP.

I'm going to be optimistic and go for a 1-0 victory, with Sheva getting the goal.

[forbzy]

It looks as though Hleb, Fabregas, and Flamini may all be back. Van Pervie too. With their nemesis Drogba missing along with Essien I think it will be a great achievement if we manage to win. I'm still hopeful of a draw but they have to be favourites at home and with those players back. I wish we had more effective striking options to fall back on. 6 goals between Kalou, Sheva and Pizzaman is really dire.

[abramovich]

Avi on the upcoming match and other things

http://footballaudio.com/content/audio/ ... AN1412.mp3

[valim]

i hope to back malouda bicose is best winger of the team

and what when van pers back is total noob like pussy

and we have makelele dont forget

i hope to start like this

cech

belleti alex/carhvallo terry a.cole

maka

mikel lampard

j.cole malouda

sheva/kalou

[Gem]

----------Cech----------

PF/JB---RC---JT-----AC (sorry Wayne, whats happened with your last few performances?)

-----------Maka---------

------Joey----Lamps----

--------------------------

SWP---------------------

----------------Kalou----

---------Sheva----------

Too attacking? We totally out played them at their ground last year (probably because anything but a win meant we lost our title and the Mancs won (by default). I don't see the point in being negative.

COME ON THE CHELS!

[g3.7]

bridge had a horror show for england, but what other games are you referring to? his brilliant game against valencia?

[Maksimov]

If it was an UCL match I'd bet my money on a 2-0 Chelsea win with goals from Belletti and Bridge, but now I just don't know...

[jack h]

Bridge, Alex and Belletti must all play

[loz]

When there is consistent, and reliable, defending to be done Belletti would be one of the last names on my team sheet.

(however I fully expect Belletti to play)

[jack h]

When there is consistent, and reliable, defending to be done Belletti would be one of the last names on my team sheet.

(however I fully expect Belletti to play)

Loz if it was up to me i would pick Paulo aswell but ithink you got my point

[Maksimov]

Bridge, Alex and Belletti must all play

Right you are...Arsenal go 1-0 up from an Alex own goal, but we end up winning 3-1 with goals from Alex, Belletti and Bridge.

And then I wake up...

[mad_mac]

Is carvalho actually fit to play?

[The Brit]

is anyone else fed up hearing about how arse have had injury problems and that's why they've struggled of late...erm...the've had nothing compared to us...I'm not sure we've been able to pick our first team once...all our big players have been injured at some time or other and on sunday we will be missing drogba, essien at least and i doubt carv will come back as well...that's a spine right there