Barclays Premiership
ARSENAL vs Chelsea
Sunday 16th December 2007
4pm
Live on Skysports 1
Ashburton Grove
by SE13 » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:01 am
by Trina » Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:18 am
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech is hoping to be Arsenal's 'Scrooge' this Christmas - by picking up three points at the Emirates this weekend.
The Czech Republic international returned to action in Chelsea's UEFA Champions League stalemate with Valencia at Stamford Bridge after a spell out with a calf injury.
Cech believes that in this notoriously chilly time of year the title race really starts to hot up.
"It is a time of year when there are so many difficult games in such a short space of time," he said.
"The first year I came to Chelsea I remember going into the Christmas period five points behind Arsenal - but then we got a good 2-2 draw at Highbury.
"By the time Christmas matches were completed, we were five points ahead of them."
Arsenal have been dealt significant blows recently - both on and off the field. Dropped points at Newcastle and Middlesbrough and injuries to key players have seen the Gunners suffer a pre-Christmas blip.
Losses
However, Cech believes his own side have been just as unfortunate - and have coped admirably.
"We have also had to cope without big players," said Cech.
"John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard have all been missing for small spells. Now Drogba is out but we are still winning points.
"Arsenal have shown they are a good side, but I think we are catching them up. We are only three points behind now and unbeaten in 16 games".
Star midfielder Frank Lampard echoed the importance of Sunday's fixture - and senses that now is a good time to travel to the Emirates.
"It's a massive game for us on Sunday," he said.
"Arsenal have been fantastic this season, but obviously they've slipped up a bit in the last couple of days.
"Although that happens to everyone - it's a great opportunity for us to go there and close the gap on them a little bit more."
by Cheese » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:20 am
by absolutely_fabregas » Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:59 am
by StLGooner » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:25 pm
All_Arsenal_1886 wrote:The Walcott, Van Persie and Bendtner worked well on Wednesday night i would love to see that again.
.................Almunia.
.....Sagna. Toure. Gallas. Clichy.
...Walcott. Diarra. Denilson. Rosicky.
.............v Persie. Bendtner.
Although if Cesc, Flamini and Hleb were fit i would swap them for Diarra, Denilson and Rosicky.
by Cheese » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:27 pm
by StLGooner » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:29 pm
All_Arsenal_1886 wrote:Does anyone think Lehmann might start?
I just got this feeling that he is going to be in goal on sunday
by Cheese » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:33 pm
ChVint22 wrote:All_Arsenal_1886 wrote:Does anyone think Lehmann might start?
I just got this feeling that he is going to be in goal on sunday
you know AW wouldn't disrupt the team chemistry like that. That would be a bold move. All I ask is that he please don't play Eboue.
by Cheese » Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:25 pm
The “signs look quite good” for Arsenal’s injured midfield trio ahead of the crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Cesc Fabregas and Alex Hleb (both hamstring) are all back in training and fighting to be fit for what could be a pivotal game in the title race. A decision will be made as late as Sunday morning.
All three collected their injuries during a run of four away games straddling the end of November and the start of December. Arsenal returned home on Wednesday against Steaua Bucharest and, in that game, were able to start Robin van Persie for the first time in two months. He suffered no ill-effects and has been named in the squad but Theo Walcott collected a knock on his knee against the Romanian side. The England winger is definitely out and, of course, question marks remain over those others.
“Who will make it, I don’t know?” said Arsène Wenger at his pre-match press conference. “We know Robin van Persie will be available. As for Mathieu Flamini, Cesc and Alex Hleb, the signs look quite good but we have to make a decision.”
The manager added that if Fabregas was passed fit he would play.
“Theo Walcott is out with a little knee problem,” the Frenchman continued. “That is a question of days and we feel he should be OK for Tuesday maybe.”
by StLGooner » Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:30 pm
by Younggooner08 » Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:59 pm
absolutely_fabregas wrote:almunia
sagna toure gallas clichy
hleb flamini fabregas rosicky
van persie adebayor
i would be in dreamland if we got this team out on sat
by rodney » Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:52 am
by ozgooner » Sun Dec 16, 2007 4:14 am
by rachel83 » Sun Dec 16, 2007 5:40 am
by SE13 » Sun Dec 16, 2007 8:21 am