EPL - Clash Of The Titans ; Chelsea vs Arsenal
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LIVE ON FOOTBALL CHANNEL, CHANNEL 27 AT 12.00 AM.
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MONDAY MORNING 12 AM
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EDUARDO OUT OF CHELSEA CLASH
Arsenal striker Eduardo has been ruled out of Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Croatia international has failed to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained in the goalless draw with Aston Villa last week.
Midfielder Abou Diaby could return from the calf problem that has kept him sidelined since mid January as the Gunners attempt to nudge their title challenge back on track.
"Diaby is not yet back in normal training," Wenger told ArsenalTV Online.
"He progresses very well but we will still have to wait until Saturday. He is a maybe. Eduardo is already ruled out.
"Theo Walcott is back and available so Diaby is the only question mark we have. All the others are longer term injuries."
Wenger confirmed that Robin van Persie is not expected to recover from his foot injury until April after a report had stated the Dutchman might be available by mid March.
"For Robin, the rehabilitation is going well but anything before April would be a little bit premature," he said.
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should be a chelsea win.
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hoping a draw
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Hope Arsenal win so that Man U can overtake Chelsea (if win against Portsmouth). Hehe.
Possible for Arsenal to defy the odds as they had beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 2-1 last time.
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Arsenal lose, then gg already
Chelsea win = no end
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Chelsea should have the edge over Arsenal
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i hope arsenal win..
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Why must all the good matches be on late night Sunday?!?!
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haha yea.. why sunday~ lol
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Otherwise how to call it "Super Sunday"...
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FORM GUIDE
Chelsea
02 Feb (Premier League) v Hull City (A) DREW 1-1
30 Jan (Premier League) v Burnley (A) WON 2-1
27 Jan (Premier League) v Birmingham (H) WON 3-0
23 Jan (FA Cup) v Preston (A) WON 2-0
16 Jan (Premier League) v Sunderland (H) WON 7-2
03 Jan (FA Cup) v Watford (H) WON 5-0
Arsenal
31 Jan (Premier League) v Man Utd (H) LOST 1-3
27 Jan (Premier League) v Aston Villa (A) DREW 0-0
24 Jan (FA Cup) v Stoke City (A) LOST 1-3
20 Jan (Premier League) v Bolton Wanderers (H) WON 4-2
17 Jan (Premier League) v Bolton Wanderers (A) WON 2-0
09 Jan (Premier League) v Everton (H) DREW 2-2
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea
Defender Ashley Cole has recovered from an ankle injury and is set to start against his former club, which should ensure a lively atmosphere.
Juliano Belletti is still out with a calf injury, while Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa remain long-term absentees.
Last starting XI (v Hull): Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, Lampard, Ballack (J Cole 71), Malouda, Zhirkov (A Cole 81), Deco, Drogba, Anelka (Sturridge 81). Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Alex, Kalou.
Arsenal
Abou Diaby may have recovered from a calf injury in time to rejoin the squad. Wenger will hope the leggy midfielder is available; if he is, he may start at the expense of Denilson.
Sol Campbell is available after a minor groin strain and Theo Walcott is in contention; but Eduardo is definitely out with a hamstring problem, while Carlos Vela (knee) and Fran Merida (ankle) are also unavailable.
Johan Djourou (knee), Robin van Persie (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (foot) are long-term casualties.
Last starting XI (v Man Utd): Almunia, Sagna (Eboue 72), Vermaelen, Gallas, Clichy, Fabregas, Rosicky (Bendtner 72), Nasri, Denilson (Walcott 61), Song, Arshavin. Subs not used: Fabianski, Silvestre, Traore, Ramsey. -
Drogba has scored 10 goals in 11 games against Arsenal but here's one reason why Wenger may be happy to see him return
Frustration: Didier Drogba reacts to a missed chance against Hull City
He's probably the world's greatest central striker and Chelsea's top scorer, but could the return of Didier Drogba from Africa Cup of Nations action with the Ivory Coast present manager Carlo Ancelotti with a problem?
Without Drogba in January, Chelsea were able to play a flexible 4-3-3 system similar to the one used with great success by Guus Hiddink last season. Nicolas Anelka was a mobile threat as central striker, Florent Malouda showed great creativity out wide and Frank Lampard, who had scored only two goals in open play before January, fired in five as he found more space.
It also gave Joe Cole the chance to play regularly as he gets nearer to full fitness. Chelsea won all five of their Premier League and cup games, scoring 19 goals.
But against Hull on Tuesday, Chelsea seemed more laboured as an attacking force and Anelka, Lampard and Malouda far less effective.
Nevertheless, it would be unthinkable to leave out Drogba against Arsenal - he has never lost against them in 11 games, scoring 10 goals - and the best display of the season with both Drogba and Anelka in the team was the 3-0 demolition job at the Emirates in November.
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i think arsenal has no answer to drogba.
no aerial threat
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this match will be a very good one for arsenal to show their determination.
chelsea are stronger on paper, but with the football being round, anything can happen.
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Match starting is an hour plus time... Does Arsenal stand a chance?
And what are the odds of Terry scoring again... or an own goal... lol.
Again, i will say watch out for Anelka, he likes to score against his former clubs...
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Will Gallas get boo when he touches the ball? Or how about Terry getting boo by the gunners fans? or A Cole and Anelka? Too many of them the fans don't know which one to concentrate on...lol
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Chelsea for the win.
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Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Daiby, Walcott, Arshavin, Nasri.
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba.
Some match pointers to ponder while we await the line-ups
• Chelsea are on a run of 35 home matches in all competitions without a defeat since losing to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge last season.
• Arsenal have not had a player sent off since Emmanuel Eboué was dismissed after 37 minutes against Tottenham on 8 February last year.
• Didier Drogba has scored 10 goals in his last nine appearances against Arsenal in all competitions.
• Arsenal have scored 18 goals from outside the penalty area so far this season, five more than they managed in the whole of 2008-09.
• Chelsea have lost only two of their last 15 competetive meetings with Arsenal.
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got chelsea fans make a placard called JT we love you
but JT love chelsea female fans pussy even more
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I fancy arsenal to upset chelsea at stamford bridge
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so fast 1-0
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john assist somemore
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this drogba, alr 30 or 31, still going strong
impressive