Arsenal vs Chelsea (16/17)

Team news:
Arsenal: Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud (toe) faces a late fitness test but Aaron Ramsey will miss out as the Welshman continues to struggle with a hamstring complaint.

Chelsea: Chelsea will be without John Terry, with the Blues captain failing to fully recover from an ankle problem. Antonio Conte says Cesc Fabregas has a chance of starting against his former club after scoring twice and assisting another in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.


MANAGER
After three title-winning campaigns with Juventus and an impressive run to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals with Italy, Antonio Conte was an intriguing appointment as Chelsea manager this summer.

Renowned as both a strict disciplinarian and a keen tactician, he’s sure to help Chelsea recover from last season’s 10th-placed finish.

FORMATION
While Conte generally used a 3-5-2 system with Juventus and Italy, this was largely because he had the same three outstanding centre backs with both teams, and it’s not a particular personal preference.

With Chelsea, Conte eventually settled on the 4-3-3 system that Chelsea have used, on and off, since the start of Jose Mourinho’s first spell with the club 12 years ago. There’s an overwhelmingly structured feel to the side, with N’Golo Kante signed from Leicester and instructed to remain solidly in front of the defence, effectively in the role Claude Makelele made his own.  

STRENGTHS
It’s notable that the other two midfielders, Nemanja Matic and Oscar, largely hold their position rather than storming forward into attack. This creates a solid three-man cordon across the midfield, making it difficult for opponents to launch quick counter-attacks. Cesc Fabregas has only been a substitute.

This has helped Chelsea to record impressive defensive statistics – they’ve conceded fewer shots on target than any other team in the league.

DANGERMAN
The main goal threat is Diego Costa, who has started the season in typical fashion – five goals and three bookings in five matches. Having been involved in incidents which resulted in both Gabriel and Per Mertesacker being dismissed last season, Arsenal know they must be calm and intelligent in their defending against the striker.

Left-sided Eden Hazard has also recaptured his old form after a quiet 2015/16, cutting inside from the left dangerously. His acceleration is quite incredible, and his battle against the similarly speedy Hector Bellerin should be fascinating.

AREAS TO TARGET
Defensively, Chelsea were extremely passive during last Friday’s 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool. While their opponents pressed high up the pitch to regain possession quickly, it was notable that Conte’s side retreated quickly into a deep defensive block, allowing Liverpool’s deep midfielders time on the ball. If allowed time in that zone, Arsenal must use the ball intelligently.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160922/scouting-report-arsenal-v-chelsea

Looking forward to the match. Should be an interesting match with clash of styles. I can see Chelsea keeping a clean sheet actually because Conte plays exactly the way we struggle against. Hazard and Costa are in great form.

Meanwhile our best creative player isn't in the best of form and our forwards aren't exactly firing. Can see Sanchez start upfront again but I would prefer if we give Perez another try.

This is the team we will most likely play

---------------------------Cech----------------------------
Bellerin-------Mustafi------------Koscielny--------Monreal
---------------Coquelin-------Cazorla--------------------
Walcott----------------Ozil---------------------Iwobi
--------------------Sanchez-------------------------------

It's a Chelsea game. There's a good chance we're losing

In all seriousness we're capable of winning this game but we need to keep our discipline and not let Costa rile us up again. Then it'll come down to how well we defend transitions because I'm sure Chelsea will sit back and look for counters. The Coqzorla midfield is vulnerable to this but 100% it'll start the game.

I expect it'll be the same team as against Hull, which means if Chelsea play with any solidity we're not scoring.

The most horrifying stat is definitely that we haven't scored against Chelsea in EIGHT matches.

Scoring against them will be a small victory of its own


unless it's a consolation goal after 7-0

1. Transition is the key to unlock chelsea defence.

2. Respect Chelsea

If arsenal follow above they win.

1-1 draw, or 1-2 loss.

We have a good chance of beating them but for the first 15 minutes, I would like us to keep it tight and not make any stupid mistakes eg giving away free kicks in dangerous positions, being caught on the counter attack or getting a man sent off. Can we just stay in the game for the first half please ? I know it's too much to ask for an Arsenal team but if it's the least you demand from professionals in a big game.

That line up is a bit too attacking minded to play against a team like Chelsea but it's understandable when your other choices are Ox and Lucas

Gtfi guys thank you Cahill

Theo one more, Iwobi is playing out of his mind

Monreal position has been quite poor, needs Le Coq working on that side a lots more

Holy fukc guys, we are on fire. This Chelsea looks so much like Boas one.

LADSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

what a half

Perfect half from us. Great goals, good defending, in control of the game. Now we just need a calm and focused second half.

Need a 2nd half Xhaka masterclass in possession

3rd goal 3rd beer

Great first half

Coquelin was fantastic in that first half with his pressing. unlucky to go off with the injury. I hope it's nothing serious for him, the guy was pressing for 2 people in that first half.

We need to look after the ball better in the second half and pick our moments on the counter attack. Bellerin needs to wake up, he has been great going forward but he is making too many mistakes defensively. He is lucky Theo is defending for him.

Hope Coquelin's injury isn't too serious btw. Even though we all want Xhaka in the team we still need a player like Coquelin in the squad.

Walcott putting in a real shift going back and a threat going forward. Loving this new Theo.

So solid. This is the Arsenal we've been missing.

Credit where it's due - I'd given up on Walcott at this point but he's been all right this season and today put in a great half already. That's what I like to see. Alexis up top seems to be working really well finally. Coqzorla proved not a bad choice, let's hope Francis' injury isn't too bad. Iwobi ... noooiiiiice.

And Mighty Mesut? Damn son.

Coquelin was great with pressing in the 1st half.

We dropping abit too deep

What a win and performance

Controlled the game throughout. Fluffed a few counters in the second half which is something to work on, but damage was done in the first half.

Shame Lucas didn't come in. Thought he would have really enjoyed himself out there.

Alexis was my MotM. Top performance from him, starting to make this false 9 role his own. With Iwobi and Walcott performing as they are as well I expect this front three will continue.