Arsenal hosts Chelsea at the Emirates stadium tonight in a match that is of great importance both to Chelsea and to Arsenal. Arsenal are without a win in three games (including their Champions League loss to Napoli) and if they lose this game, they will spend Christmas Day at fourth place on the log. If they win this game, then Arsenal will stay on first position and increase the gap between them and their London rivals to five points. On the other hand, although Jose Mourinho doesn’t believe this game will define Chelsea’s season, Chelsea need to win this game to prove they are title contenders and also to bounce back from their Capital One loss to Sunderland.
Arsenal will be without; Laurent Koscielny who picked up an injury at the Etihad stadium last week, Midfielder Jack Wilshere who is facing a two match ban following a middle finger gesture at the same game, and midfielders Alex Chamberlain and Abou Diaby who are both nursing knee injuries. It will be interesting to see how Wenger will rotate the squad to cover up for Wilshere and Koscielny. Replacing Wilshere will not be much of a problem having in mind that Walcott is back and the impressive form that Rosicky is in. However, it will be interesting to see how the second choice defender and team captain, Thomas Vermaelen, will team up with the on-form Per Mertesacker. Wenger also has an option of changing his attack with Lucas Podolski back from a three month injury. On the Blues side, there is not much to report only that Mourinho will be without suspended Michael Essien (fifth yellow card) but will get a boost from the return of John Terry. The out of favor left back, Ashley Cole, will most likely start from the bench.
History favors Chelsea, but the last thing the Gunners want is something to distract them. The back to back defeats at Napoli and ManCity have dented the Morale of the young team and Arsene Wenger must do everything to address the task at hand. On his part, Mourinho must have his goal-shy boys scoring once more instead of downplaying the Gunners.