Some of the key battles which will decide Sunday’s game between Chelsea and Arsenal.
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Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side smashed Arsenal 6-0 in their last game at the Bridge, and while nobody is expecting a repeat of that scoreline, Mourinho’s impeccable record against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal will make Chelsea most people’s favourites. Both teams are full of skilled individuals, and the game will likely be decided by players who win their battles with their opposite numbers.
5) Costa – Mertesacker
There were plenty of questions over the signing of Diego Costa before his arrival, but any doubts about whether he was a “one-season-wonder” have evaporated as the half-fit striker has blasted his way through defences across the country.
Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker will need to be at his very best to stop the striker, and he will need his positioning to be perfect, as Costa has deceptive pace, and will leave the the German in the dust if given the chance.
4) Ozil – Matic
Mesut Ozil has played well in plenty of games for Arsenal, but has yet to really dominate a big game and has struggled against physical teams like Chelsea. He must attack the gaps behind the hard-working Chelsea wingers to draw Matic out from the centre, creating space for Ozil’s team-mates.
It won’t be easy to escape the attentions of the wiry Serb, whose long legs and ceaseless running have put almost every midfielder in Europe in his pocket over the last two seasons.
3) Hazard – Chambers
Eden Hazard has had a fairly quiet season, and Mourinho admitted that his performance last weekend against Aston Villa was not good enough. The Belgian winger will be licking his lips at the prospect of attacking Calum Chambers, who has performed well this season but is still young and vulnerable to players of Hazard’s quality.
If Arsenal are to stop Chelsea’s front three Chambers must ensure Hazard’s poor run of form keeps going.
2) Welbeck – Terry
Danny Welbeck has had a sensational start to his Arsenal career after his deadline day move from Manchester United. He is on a hot streak and will hope to continue that at Stamford Bridge. His pace will force Chelsea to drop deeper than they would like, and he must be constantly on the move to threaten Chelsea’s back line and prevent Arsenal from being pinned back.
His pace should give him the edge over the ponderous Terry, but there is no finer centre-back positionally than the Chelsea captain, and Welbeck will seldom have more than a chance to turn towards goal. If Welbeck can get the better of one of the best and most experienced centre-backs in the league, it will go some way towards proving that he can be a top-level centre forward.
1) Fabregas – Flamini
Cesc Fabregas will be the centre of attention on Sunday as he returns to his former club, and his role will be vital tactically too. Flamini, after being hailed as the defensive midfielder Arsenal had been desperate for since his departure, has since displayed the rashness and tactical naïveté that lead to him being a figure of fun in Serie A.
Fabregas has been what Chelsea lacked last season, able to play deep alongside Matic but still initiate attacks quickly with long passes and support the forward players with late runs. Flamini must pressure the Spaniard the moment he gets the ball and prevent him releasing Costa on the counter.