Two out of three, as Meatloaf once rather imprecisely said, ain’t bad. But three out of three, as Carlo Ancelotti will no doubt be telling his players today, is so much better.
Chelsea
have the chance to complete an early season clean-sweep of their title
rivals this weekend, as they travel to Arsenal having already seen off
both Liverpool and Manchester United so far this year.
Having
beaten both those big guns in the homely confines of Stamford Bridge,
however, Sunday’s trip to the Emirates to face Arsene Wenger's side
will arguably be Ancelotti's biggest test to date as Chelsea manager.
Defeat
would not be catastrophic, but it would undo much of the good work the
players have already put in to open a five-point lead at the top of the
table.
A loss would allow United to get back within striking
distance (assuming they win their game against Portsmouth) and also put
the Gunners, who slipped up last week at Sunderland, firmly back in the
title hunt.
Victory, on the other hand, would be yet another
massive title boost for the Blues. It would render Arsenal’s title
hopes very slim — leaving them 11 points behind with just one game in
hand.
More importantly, it would be a psychological blow to
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who may well have earmarked the game as one
the leaders would drop some points in.
Ominously for their
rivals, after continuing the club’s good run with Wednesday night’s win
against Porto, John Terry believes the squad is approaching the same
state of mind that led them to two league titles under former manager
Jose Mourinho.
"I really do think we are close to getting back
to the invincible feeling we had three years ago," said Terry, who made
his 300th appearance as club captain in the game against the Portuguese
champions.
Head boy | Terry says Blues have right mindset
"I
listen to the other players when we are away with England and they are
all talking about how well we're playing. They're fearing us again," he
added.
"Now is the time we can pull away ... this can be another
special year in the history of Chelsea and the next few weeks can move
us towards our goal. We are getting close to being dominant."
They are close, but not quite there yet. And Arsenal have already derailed one Chelsea challenge.
Last
season Chelsea hosted Arsenal at a similar stage of the season under
similar circumstances. Under a new manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, the
Blues had made their way to the top of the table — having managed to
open up an eight-point gap over Ferguson’s United in the process.
Yet
despite taking the lead through a Johan Djourou own goal, Chelsea were
stunned by two second-half goals from Robin van Persie and lost the
game 2-1.
At the double | Van Persie struck twice last season
That
result seemed to be a turning point in the Brazilian manager's reign,
as his previously solid Chelsea side went on an inconsistent run of
results that included a 3-0 defeat to United and culminated with the
sacking of Scolari in February.
"We started well and then threw it away over the Christmas period," Terry recalled.
Entering
that period once again, there are no suggestions that Chelsea's players
are about to experience the same difficulties, or even that a similar
result on Sunday will set Ancelotti on Scolari's path.
"It's just about regrouping, keeping everyone fit and believing," Terry stated.
But
victory on Sunday would certainly be the best method of prevention.
With Van Persie still out injured and a midweek knock to Kieran Gibbs
leaving the Gunners short of cover at left-back, Chelsea enter the game
with fewer injury worries than their opponents.
Didier Drogba
completed 90 minutes at the Estadio do Dragao, so should be fit to
start at the Emirates. And Ancelotti revealed last night that Frank
Lampard might be able to make his return — meaning Chelsea should be
able to put out a full strength side.
Back in action | Lampard could return at the Emirates
Having
already lost to both Manchester City and United this season, Arsenal
have something of a point to prove against top opposition.
But
safe in the knowledge even defeat won't knock them off the top spot,
Chelsea's players should be able to play with a freedom that will make
them dangerous opponents.
The game, then, looks evenly poised.
Last season at the Emirates, Chelsea romped to a 4-1 win in a game that meant little for either side.
That certainly isn't the case this time.
