The grass is always greener at Emirates Stadium, but we still have to play against the cunts, on their “patch” at Stamford Bridge.

The seats are all set, Abramovich has managed to sell out Stamford Bridge for once, and footballing purists will be treated to a clash of two teams with very different philosophies. Arsenal with a philosophy of budget-wise nurturing of an expansive, league changing, attacking style of play. And Chelsea who simply looked across the river at what Arsenal were doing and threw money at every problem until they finally managed to win as many FA Cups for their club as Arsenal’s latest manager has in his trophy case alone.

Chelsea’s current temporary “manager,” who has surprisingly managed to keep his job despite Chelsea losing focus at nearly every turn, is confident ahead of the match. With his eyebrow arching at every accent in each word he bragged:

In the last game against Arsenal, it was very good for us. We played the right way and did a very good defence and counter-attack. That’s the right way to play against Arsenal on Sunday. We are looking to repeat the same result. Also, Arsenal want to change the game, want to change their performance. Tactically we did very well in that match. Arsenal have fantastic midfield players with strong quality – Fabregas, Arshavin and Nasri – but we didn’t give them the possibility to play easily. It’s all important to put pressure on them with our midfield, and not leave the space to play.

In a certain sense he’s right. Arsenal have been predictable at times this season. Tending their high line, slick passing, pretty game and creating loads of chances but at times failing to find the back of the net.

Arsene is aware that Arsenal have become a bit stagnant in the last few games and has promised to shake things up a bit in the Chelsea game:

I cannot say I got it right when you lose 3-0 [against Chelsea] and 3-1 [against Man United], I have to say I got it wrong. But in terms of team selection, I’m not sure.  I don’t feel we have been overrun, I feel we have put ourselves in the position where we are open to counter-attacks. We lacked a little bit of patience as well. Even when we came out at 2-0 at half-time, we were in a rush to go forwards. Let’s get back to 2-1 and then we see. Even at 3-1, we could have equalised in the last ten minutes.

And he’s right about team selection, with all the injuries, and the fact that they couldn’t buy a player despite working up to the last minute, there isn’t much choice in the team selection. Arshavin, who likes to play centrally but hates being a center forward, has really been asked to shoulder a lot of burden up front and since he took over the center forward role has only managed 3 goals and 1 assist.

What I’m not so sure about is le Boss’ assertion that we just need to be more patient. That’s part of the problem, not the solution. Arsenal are plenty patient when teams give them time and space, but Chelsea aren’t going to afford that luxury.

Instead, I’d suggest that Arsenal are going to have to be patient in the build-up and pesky bees when we do turn the ball over. Hard work is going to be crucial in this game, we need to win the ball back and pressure them when they have the ball to keep their long-ball-counter-attack tactics to a minimum.

I’d also like to see Wenger include some width and force Chelsea’s full backs to sit back a bit and by width I don’t mean “have Arsenal’s full backs bomb down the sidelines at every opportunity to put in crosses that Arsenal’s diminutive forwards will never get a head on.” By width I mean, “Theo Walcott play wide and show some of the spark that his early career promised.” I know it’s a lot to ask the rusty, oft injured, forward but the Arsenal are up against it now and big players show up in big games.  Similarly, I’d love to see Arshavin play wide left in this scheme. He would provide a real threat down that side.

The problem is that Arsenal don’t have anyone to play in the center forward role. Arsene complained that Bendtner may be in the team tomorrow but he’s still 1-2 weeks away from full fitness and that means a start for him is very unlikely. Meanwhile, Eduardo is not fit, Vela has a mystery injury, van Persie is out and Walcott’s not ready to play center forward. So, no matter what Wenger chooses, he’s taking a big chance; start Bendtner and risk his fitness, start Arshavin and risk playing same old, same old. I’d like to see Wenger take a chance and start Bendter, then, put Diaby in there after 60 minutes. I know the Diaby suggestion will cause some mirth but Diaby has good touch, he’s tall, and if you’re going to put a midfielder in there (Arshavin) why not mix it up with a tall midfielder?

We won’t know what trick Wenger has up his sleeve but hopefully he has something.

On the other side, it’s always been a source of pride for Chelsea, not to mention a source of beneficial calls from the referees, that their team’s captain was also the captain of the national side. Watching yesterday’s press conference where Capello stripped Terry of his armband it was plain to see the England captain was hurt. He’s such a horrible person that more than how he cheated on his teammate and friend, he is devastated that the public now know what a despicable scumbag he really is.

Only time will tell what kind of knock-on effect this latest scandal will have on the team. They have been through a lot together and so that can cause people to overlook personal flaws. But then again, they went through all that while Terry was their leader and when a man shows the poor judgment that Terry did, it can cause the whole side to question his leadership and their past.

They did barely manage a draw at Hull on Wednesday but some credit has to go to Hull in that. They aren’t the shambles of a side they were earlier in the year as evidenced by their fiery 2-1 win over Manchester City on Saturday. As much as I’d like to see Chelsea crumble to Arsenal on Sunday and start sniping and infighting, I think we’ll have to wait until the end of the season to see what kind of effect John Terry’s wandering cock will have on them.

Finally, I’m really sick to death of hearing “you know if Arsenal lose on Sunday their season is over.” After the last 3-0 defeat to Chelsea Arsenal came back from an 11 point deficit and so a 9 point lead would look bad but it’s not the end of the season. Now, lose to the Chavs on Sunday and then at home to a resurgent Liverpiddle and you would have to say that Arsenal look very much out of the Premier League race. But that’s all the way on Wednesday and I’m not even starting to think about that.

All I’m thinking about is for Arsenal to have a good game. Win, lose, or draw I don’t care as long as they put in a full 90 minute shift, no slacking, and take the game to the Chavs.

The match is live on Fox Soccer Channel at 8am (PST) in the States and usually that means a liveblog, but I’m not going to do it. Instead, I’m going to sit back and hopefully enjoy a good game. If not? You’ll hear all about it on Monday.

Until then… UP THE ARSE!

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