Chelsea Preview: Make or break time 7 February, 2010

Last Sunday was massive, and seven days later we’re playing in a game just as important. OK it didn’t go quiet to plan against Man United but we can forget about that if we win today. We could get ourselves three points behind Chelsea today and four behind United with a win, and with our run-in that’s a title challenging position for sure.

However lose and we will be 9 points behind Chelsea and lacking confidence going into Wednesday’s game against Liverpool who could in turn beat us and find themselves two points behind us.

I’d like to believe we’ve been really focused on the task at hand this week. Wenger cancelled the players’ day off after the United game to get ready for today. There’s hasn’t been much news on the official site either, I don’t think we’ve been faffing around with interviews, crossbar challenges and Super Soaker contests this week – I hope it’s been strictly business.

It needs to be really because lets face it last weekend was not good enough. We need to highlight where we went wrong and get it right for today. I don’t want to see us caught out in defence again, there’s no excuse. There should be complete concentration for the entire 90 minutes because that’s what it’s going to take to win this game.

Unfortunately we’re not boosted by the return of anyone. Diaby had a fitness test yesterday and I guess we wont find out the results of that until an hour before kick off this afternoon. I’m guessing he’ll be on the bench; with Liverpool in the week and Porto coming up we don’t want to force him out for longer. We already know Vela and Eduardo are out but Nicklas Bendtner is apparently not fit to start either. It’s a shame because I really thought he could do a job today. Here’s how I think we’re going to line up:

Almunia
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Clichy
Song
Fabregas – Denilson
Nasri – Arshavin – Rosicky

If it were up to me though Ramsey would be partnering Fabregas. Denilson has played himself out of favour with the Arsenal fans and I’m getting a bit impatient with his performances. Aaron is a determined player and you know you will always get 100% from him whether he plays well or not and I always have time for people who put effort in.

People are talking about starting Walcott too, his pace could limit Ashley Cole’s advances forward and as much as we might not to admit it, he is a threat down their left. Sagna needs to be all over him today. We need Clichy on the other wing to have a good game too, he’s been lacking a bit recently but what a better time than today to get it right though. He has been really trying hard though hence the lack of abuse he’s getting.

Almunia will stay in goal. Arsene was asked whether Fabianski should replace him but cited his performance at Wembley against Chelsea last year as a reason for him not to play. I don’t get it, he’s always been a big fan of the Pole and now when we need a goalkeeping solution he’s saying no? Arsene says goalkeeping is the hardest job in football and also believes Almunia is putting too much pressure on himself. It shows, he looks a nervous, flapping wreck and we’ll need him to perform a lot better today.

As for the home side they have Mikel and Drogba back from the African Cup of Nations, but no Essien who will be out for another month with the injury he picked up at the tournament. However the big talking point it obviously John Terry. Ancelotti has assured he will start and he will captain this side after his terrible week on the front pages of the papers and losing the England armband to Rio Ferdinand of all people. I’ve already heard countless songs about Terry and I’m sure they’ll be in full voice today, some of them are brilliant. I’m not expecting our noise toparticularly upset Terry but if his head isn’t 100% in the game we might be able to capitalise on that.

Today’s winners will certainly believe they can go on and win the title. It’s a huge game for both sides. I’m hoping, praying, crossing everything and believing that we can win today. If we can pull it off I’ll be over the moon. Lose, well I just hope I’m not sat here tomorrow talking once again about missed chances, defensive lapses and poor displays.

Come on you Gunners, give it everything you’ve got.

Enjoy the game.