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Chelsea can put one hand on the Premier League title with victory over Arsenal at the Emirates. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 12:45am (AEST).
The equation is very simple for Chelsea – win at the Emirates, and then at Leicester City on Thursday morning, and the title belongs to them. Such is the virtue of a 10-point lead that Chelsea can hope to seal the league title in April.
Dominance of this sort hasn’t been seen in English football since the 10 years ago, when Jose Mourinho publicly announced himself as “The Special One”.
Special it will be too – it’s worth remembering that Chelsea made a profit during their transfer business this season. This in contrast to the activities of both Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Arsenal spending big in their respective bids for title glory. It’s a remarkable feat, and will be one of the talking points when Chelsea do wrap up this title.
If Arsenal are to cause a shock, then Arsene Wenger must arrest a winless streak against Mourinho. Great managers they both are, yet in 12 meetings, Arsenal has only notched five draws against Mourinho’s Chelsea. Recent history paints an even worse picture. Wenger’s Arsenal has not scored in the four games of this rivalry since Mourinho’s return to west London.
It is a dominance that saw Mourinho brand his rival as a “specialist in failure” last season.
You can pinpoint the February 26 home defeat against Monaco as the date Arsenal’s season changed. While Wenger’s team still play the aesthetic football he craves, an appreciation for defensive astuteness has seen Arsenal keep a current nine-game winning streak in all competitions.
Central to the Gunners’ fortunes has been midfielder Francis Coquelin. Recalled from a loan spell mid-season, the Frenchman has led the league in interceptions made, one-on-one duels won, and second in tackles made. His impact has freed Wenger’s attacking midfield of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Oezil, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsay to pursue forward forays freely, often with devastating effect.
Coquelin’s presence has also galvanised the Arsenal defence, where Laurent Koscielny has ably led the back four alongside Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista. Word of warning however – Koscielny and Mertesacker are the same pair that were pillaged for six goals this time last season at Stamford Bridge.
For Mourinho, there is the temptation to play it safe, as Chelsea need not win, but only ensure Arsenal does not. Nevertheless, Mourinho’s penchant for punishing Wenger’s Arsenal will be enough incentive to pursue a win at the home of the unlikely challengers.
A big boost for Chelsea comes in the return of Diego Costa, who should slot right into the starting XI. Yet the focus will largely be in defence and the midfield. The need for a draw will likely see Mourinho opt for either Ramires or John Obi Mikel to partner Nemanja Matic to nullify Arsenal’s attacking threat.
Having left Arsenal for Barcelona in search of silverware in 2011, Cesc Fabregas found it at the Nou Camp before his move to Chelsea last June. While Fabregas will be a convenient pantomime villain at the Emirates, Wenger refused the right to buy back the Spaniard before Mourinho swooped.
The incentive for Chelsea to hold onto a priceless draw and deny Arsenal momentum stands as the likeliest factor for Mourinho to adopt a wholly defensive approach, and only attack on the counter. With Wenger’s team requiring victory, such circumstances seem tailor-made for Chelsea to effectively seal their fifth English league title.
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