Premier League - Chelsea vs Arsenal

I hope my comments in here haven't given a misleading or inaccurate impression of my feelings or
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expectations for this match (and I'm sure I speak for Kicky on this as well). I don't think you'll find anyone in here, least of all myself (the section's Pessimist in Chief ), thinking this will be
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anything other than a proper difficult game. I'd agree with Mourinho that last's year's result was a
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one-off and that we'd be daft to think a repeat of it come Sunday will be some sort of formality. If
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you look over the history of recent meetings between us at the Bridge (which you'll conveniently find in my preview ) the results, just as were the performances, are actually quite close. Just the year
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before last, we went 2-0 up on you within 15 minutes, I believe, but you made a right fist of it in the
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second half which you were dominant in and nearly nicked something – and that was with a far worse
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side than the one you've got now.



So yes, I expect nothing less than a stern test on Sunday.

No need to alter tactics ahead of Chelsea match, says Wenger:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended his tactics and insists he does not have to change more than ‘a little’ adaptation to beat Jose Mourinho's men tomorrow
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/chelsea-vs-arsenal-arsene-wenger-defends-his-tactics-and-insists-he-does-not-have-to-change-course-to-outsmart-jose-mourinhos-men-9775030.html

“We have to adapt a little but, you know, let’s be honest, any single player at Chelsea can make a difference.”

“If you say you mark Costa, Hazard can score as well; Willian can as well score; Oscar can as well score. So what is important, of course you adapt, but it’s more focused on defending well as a team when you have not got the ball.”

“It’s always difficult to find the balance to adapt to your opponents’ strengths, without restricting your expression of your own strengths.”

Mourinho vs Wenger: a decade of digs and gibes:
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/mourinho-vs-wenger-decade-digs



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15 minute delay on the game because arsenal fans have flares

Pride of London

Here we go!

Much more pragmatic approach from L'Arse this time around, clearly.

"Classy" Wenger shoves Mourinho in the latter's technical area.

Courtois can't continue. On comes Big Pete

PENALTY

What a run by Eddie

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!


Rolled cool as you like into the corner of Cheesy's net

Cech!


Certain goal there.

HT: Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal


A good performance from the visitors after last year's trainwreck and fairly evenly-matched so far. A feisty affair between the players and even managers but very little by way of chances for either side.

Schurrle having another shocker. Remarkable how dire he's become after winning the World Cup. Willian on soon pls.

Yet another 2 attacks break down completely with Schurrle. Christ.

Chamberlain coming on for them, Mikel for us.


Cazorla and Schurrle (finally) to make way.

COOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA



2-0

Brilliant assist from Cesc as well

"Arsene Wenger, we want you to stay"


#tradition

Willian coming on for Oscar, who's been superb today.

Welbeck goes through Fabregas with two feet off the ground. Yellow...

Costa skies over from 2 yards out


Thank god the flag was up

FT: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal

How weird is it to see Mikel do first time passes?

So, standard 3 points at home to Arsenal, standard Mourinho dicking Wenger, and we move 9 points clear of them.


Good weekend