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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Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea Well, the title race is still alive, at least mathematically. We will be back next weekend with another Premier League clash in this truly absorbing season. Has Arsenal's chance gone by them? Has Chelsea sealed the title with this draw? You suspect they have, but the fat lady is yet to sing. But she will if Chelsea are to win their next two games. They travel midweek to Leicester City on Thursday morning, before facing Crystal Palace next weekend at home. Win those two, and Chelsea seal the title. Arsenal are next up in action at Hull City next weekend. At fulltime at the Emirates Stadium, in an absorbing encounter, it finished Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea. Good morning!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea Look at the table, and see how nigh impossible it is now for Chelsea to be caught. TABLE Chelsea (P33, 77pts, +39) Manchester City (P34, 67pts, +34) Arsenal (P33, 67pts, +31) Manchester United (P34, 65pts, +25) Liverpool (P33, 58pts, +11) Tottenham Hotspur (P34, 58pts, +6) Southampton (P34, 57pts, +21) Swansea City (P34, 50pts, -3) Stoke City (P34, 47pts, -3) Everton (P34, 44pts, +1) West Ham United (P34, 44pts, 0) Crystal Palace (P34, 42pts, -5) West Bromwich Albion (P34, 37pts, -14) Newcastle United (P34, 35pts, -21) Aston Villa (P34, 32pts, -22) Hull City (P33, 31pts, -14) Leicester City (P33, 31pts, -16) Sunderland (P33, 30pts, -23) Queens Park Rangers (P34, 27pts, -21) Burnley (P34, 26pts, -26)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+5: Now another yellow conceded by Mertesacker, as this game is petering out to its eventual stalemate. Final whistle not far away, as Chelsea have executed another defensive job superly done. INDEED THEY HAVE! Chelsea celebrate as if they have won, and for all intents and purposes, it is a victory of massive sorts, as Chelsea deny Arsenal's bid to close the gap, and they remain only two wins away from glory! FULL TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+4: This may be extended to a fifth minute, but you can't see the result now in Arsenal's favour. Chelsea will keep their 10-point lead, and while they can't win the title midweek, they definitely set it up at home next weekend against Crystal Palace. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: Third minute of added time. Arsenal continue to pile forward. Chelsea will not cede their shape here. Now Cazorla fells down Hazard, as he goes into the book. More seconds to waste. Final change for Chelsea. Juan Cuadrado coming on for Willian, with one minute remaining. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+2: Well that was it. That was the moment. Surely Arsenal won't get another? 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Four minutes added on. We really are into the last throes of a title race. Big chance Welbeck! Wonderful run Monreal to cross in front of goal, and Welbeck just needed a touch, but didn't get it! What a miss! 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90: Second change for Chelsea, as Kurt Zouma replaces Cesc Fabregas, who is booed off without qualification inside this stadium. He claps across the stadium, and the boos now turn to mild applause for the former Arsenal captain. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: Bodycheck by Ramsey on Hazard, who gets yellow for the trouble. Just another way to eke out seconds from this clock. We are nearly into stoppage time. Chelsea have nearly done their work. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'88: Fatigue is evident, as the touches become ragged, and the tackles a little lazy. Chelsea though as obdurate and determined as ever. They are minutes away from their result. Not the desired one, but a highly effective one nonetheless. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'86: Win or bust now for Arsenal, as we enter the final five minutes. Not a convincing header away by Ivanovic, as he got the angle wrong, and was cleared away via the chest of Cahill. Now Terry is on the deck, and again, the gameplan is implemented. Chelsea are not here to make friends, especially in these parts. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'85: Ramsey fouls Willian, as Chelsea take their time over this free kick, as is their wont. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'85: Ramsey's long ball is judged well by Courtois as he beats Welbeck's run to the ball for a catch. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'82: Arsenal readying Theo Walcott. Are these changes coming too late? Welbeck runs in behind Azpilicueta, and his shot at Courtois' near post is fumbled by the keeper for a corner. Corner taken, and Courtois' attempted catch is intervened illegally by Giroud, and now Courtois is feeling the aftereffects. Call me cynical, but all part of the Jose Mourinho masterplan. In truth, these are tactic superbly understood and implemented. While Courtois gets treatment, Walcott comes on for Giroud. Arsenal need some trickery and magic now. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'80: Ramsey from long range unleashes a bullet, but straight into the chest of Giroud. He felt that did the Frenchman. Now Monreal takes yellow for a last ditch hauldown of Willian. Time running out for Arsenal. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'77: You feel the game has that one moment in it. That key moment that people will look back on. Is it Arsenal's to take, as they keep the title race alive? Is it Chelsea's as they stand one win away from their glory? 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'76: Cazorla wide! Oh the chances pile up! Koscielny with a lungbursting raid and crosses for Cazorla, whose shot is hooked wide! Change is made, and Wenger going for broke. Off goes the defensive Coquelin, and on is Welbeck. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'75: Arsenal readying Danny Welbeck. Is 15 minutes long enough for him to make a vital impact? Or can Wenger do with more creativity in midfield and insert either Wilshere or Walcott into the fray? 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'74: In all of this, we nearly forget that a Chelsea goal here will effectively wrap up the title. They've been content to sit back and defend, but there is still that uncertainty for Arsenal that prevents them from going for broke. 0-0