The two teams who finished first and second in each of the last two Premiership campaigns collide head-on at Stamford Bridge in what is only the second matchday of the new season. And there is more than title-chasing or even London rivalry at stake between these two now. The Blues’ clumsy attempts to ride roughshod over the rules in the Ashley Cole affair, Arsenal’s refusal to take that lying down, Peter Kenyon’s response to the Gunners’ annoyance, and Jose Mourinho’s bizarre and erroneous claim that Arsenal rig the fixture list to disadvantage the Blues have all intensified the dislike between the North and West London adversaries to a degree of contemptuous loathing bordering on pure hatred. Goal.com cast a line into this river of ill-will and hooked a fan from each side to set the scene fore Sunday’s showdown. Blue is the colour for Ben Amoah, while Jamie Obertelli is proud to be a Gooner….
GOAL: First of all, how do you assess your side’s prospects as the new season gets underway? Full of confidence or trepidation?
Ben (CFC): If I was posed this question prior to the Wigan debacle, I would have resoundingly said this season filled me with the utmost of confidence. After the amateurish performance at the JJB, I am a bit sceptical of our overall chances especially in Europe. I get the impression that our predictable style of play has been sussed out, which was painful proved against naïve opposition on day one! However I can’t start moaning it’s only been one game, and our squad is the strongest squad in the Premiership so special things are potentially ahead. I hope I cringe with shame when I read this in 9 months time.
Jamie (AFC): Nothing but confidence. Arsenal perform best when they have been written off and it seems people have been doing that since we sold Vieira. We still play the best football in England and we just need to keep consistent.
GOAL: Tactically, where do you think this match may be won or lost?
Ben (CFC): Midfield without doubt is the key area where the game will be won or lost. Makelele and Lampard have to really impose themselves in the central area, to subdue the fast flowing Arsenal passing game through the middle. If both are on song Fabregas especially should be shown up as the kid that he is. The wings are crucial whether it be Duff and Robben or Pires and Ljungberg, whoever imposes themselves will force the opposition full backs to defend uncomfortably deep, cutting off that particular outlet. In reality in such an important game every single position is crucial, and individual tactical errors will be costly.
Jamie (AFC): Against Chelsea tactics play a huge part in deciding who wins or loses. Jose’s boys will most probably pack the midfield and try to stop us playing, whilst keeping it tight at the back. We have shown that we can score against them and just need to be careful not to give away too many set pieces because everyone knows that is how Chelsea score most of their goals.
GOAL: Which opposition player do you consider to be the greatest threat to your team in this clash?
Ben (CFC): Thierry Henry. When he plays against us he is inspired by something and it annoys the hell out of me. People say he doesn’t play well against the big teams, but my first hand experience suggests that belief is pure nonsense! His pace and power will be a threat to Terry and Gallas/Carvalho, and as naturally Henry likes to drift to the left, the at times clumsy Paulo Ferriera will certainly have his work cut out. His goal for the Les Bleus in midweek will only boost his morale and that is simply not good news, while John Terry midweek was involved in a morale sapping humiliation against Denmark, hopefully this come Sunday will be rendered entirely irrelevant.
Jamie (AFC): After the way we lost in Cardiff I would have to say Drogba. Our defence did not look comfortable with him and suffered every time he got the ball. Hopefully Senderos will perform more like his normal self and deal with the striker.
GOAL: Would you want him in your team?
Ben (CFC): Painfully it is a yes, he can trap a ball! Which Didier Drogba far too often fails to do.
Jamie (AFC): No! Our strikers are of a much better pedigree, if we did take Drogba he would have to fight for a place in our reserve side, but Lupoli and Quincy would probably keep him on the bench.
GOAL: Who from your team should we keep a particular eye on here?
Ben (CFC): Arjen Robben and Frank Lampard. Robben would have been hurt that he was made somewhat of a scapegoat for the terrible performance against Wigan, being taken off at half time will enable Robben to realise his amazing first season for The Blues was irrelevant, and with Shaun Wright Philips breathing down his neck, the pressure is on the Flying Dutchman. Frank Lampard who on his day is one of the best midfielders in Europe against Arsenal in the Community Shield and against Wigan was pathetic. General precision and sharpness was painfully lacking from his game. Patrick Vieira previously in this fixture would always overwhelm Lampard. Vieira is no longer there, so Frank has no excuses he simply must dictate the game.
Jamie (AFC): Hleb will probably play some part in the game and he has impressed me since joining the club. Our only major summer signing looks to be made from the Arsenal mould and could surprise the Blues.
GOAL: What are your side’s greatest strengths?
Ben (CFC): Defence and variation. Both won us the league last season. Conceding 15 goals in 38 games just about says it all about our defence. If we need to play and defend deep, it will be done with flawless effectiveness albeit not aesthetically pleasing at all. One of Arsenal’s problems is that they have no plan B, which is why people laugh at them in Europe. Chelsea not only have a plan B but probably have enough plans through to Z. If Jose Mourinho wanted Chelsea could play the attractive quick short passing game of Arsenal it would be done, but at times it is futile. If we need to, we can play like old school Wimbledon and punt the ball up field to Drogba for flick-ons. Because of this crucial team attribute anything Arsenal throws at us will probably be nullified through our superior tactical variation.
Jamie (AFC): Flowing, attacking football. When Arsenal are in the groove no side comes close to their attacking style.
GOAL: And weaknesses?
Ben (CFC): At times, a lack of fluidity. At the start of last season and against Wigan about 3 passes would be made, then the ball would be passed to Petr Cech and the ball would be punted aimlessly upfield. The passing at times seems forced and the anticipatory instincts of a few of our players can be embarrassingly lacking leading to unattractive football.
Jamie (AFC): Our defending has to improve this term if we are to challenge for honours. Chelsea have shown that in today’s climate boring, defensive football can win you trophies. And whilst we will never be boring or negative, if we defend the way we did at the end of the season we should be more effective.
GOAL: What do your lot typically think of their lot?
Ben (CFC): I can’t possibly write the whole truth! But overall we think of them as arrogant, fair-weather fans who forget who they are and what they used to be. Arsenal have been playing beautiful football for about 3 years, yet their fans for some reason think they have a tradition of playing in such a way and have a right to behold it. Even Spurs have more of a tradition of playing nice football, but Spurs fans don’t get happy I said that. Arsenal players and fans also have an excuse for everything! Everyone: “You’re crap in Europe”: Fans: “Because the players are tired, too many games in the Premiership”. Reality: You were sussed out by tactically superior European sides. Patrick Vieira gets sent off of spitting. Arsene Wenger: “I didn’t see it.” Reality: Get better glasses. Pathetic!
Jamie (AFC): They have overtaken Manchester United in terms of rivalry. It seems nouveaux-Chelsea fans have sprung up from every corner. Jose Mourinho and Peter Kenyon have made the club into the most arrogant side on the planet. I can’t wait till Abramovich gets bored and takes his millions elsewhere. (Why not try Formula 1, Roman?)
GOAL: What single thing irritates you most about them?
Ben (CFC): Their fans! Some of them wear the jersey and they think they know everything about football.
Jamie (AFC): Their style of play. Chelsea are basically Bolton with more cash. Jose has taken some talented players and made them play long ball. The reason they struggled at the JJB last week is because Wigan are used to that style of play from their days in the Championship.
GOAL: And what do you grudgingly admire?
Ben (CFC): Their off the pitch organisation and professionalism.
Jamie (AFC): John Terry is a great defender and he has been impressive in recent seasons. Whilst good in defence he will always pop up with an important goal and that is something I admire in a defender.
GOAL: Who is your all-time number one hate figure (or object of amusement) from their lot?
Ben (CFC): Prior to the tapping-up fiasco it was Ashley Cole especially for most fans, after the fiasco even more so. He is Arsenal through and through, he is the embodiment of everything we hate about Arsenal, just an arrogant North Londoner (I live in North London) who is the filthiest player ever to grace Stamford Bridge. Ray Parlour runs him close, just look at him: His hair, his face even his wife left the muppet, when he returned to the Bridge with ‘Boro he was hilariously made aware of what we thought of him.
Jamie (AFC): Peter Kenyon. Hated him when he was at United and I hate him more now he is at Chelsea. His arrogance knows no bounds and with him Chelsea seem to think they can poach any players or staff they want from any team. Sooner or later a side with more backbone than Tottenham will stand up to them.
GOAL: What’s the best bit of business ever done between the two clubs?
Ben (CFC): Not much positive business has really ever occurred. Probably the sheer ineptitude of Peter Kenyon unsettling Ashely Cole, and the subsequent erosion of his relationship with their fans. Which is good for us, couldn’t care less about them.
Jamie (AFC): None that I can remember. Closest we have come was the whole Ashley Cole affair.
GOAL: What’s your fondest memory of past clashes against them?
Ben (CFC): Champions League Semi Final second leg 2004. Every time I watch it I get a tear in my eye, what a night. I made sure I personally afterward destroyed the week of every single Arsenal fan I knew.
Jamie (AFC): Reyes’ double in the F.A Cup was good but Kanu’s hat trick after going 2-0 down was incredible.
GOAL: What do you think the score of this match will be, and how will it affect your week?
Ben (CFC): Heart says 2-0, but head 1-1. Arsenal are too good not to at least get a clear cut chance, while being at home gives us a slight edge. It is a shame such a great game has come so early to have any direct bearing on the title, Shame on the F.A. Because of this I think there will be far too much mutual respect shown, and a probable unwillingness to win the game. If we win my week will be fantastic even though my phone bill will suffer. If we lose my week will be utterly destroyed and my phone will not receive calls for a week!
Jamie (AFC): I think Arsenal will win 2-1. If we do I will have a great week, if we loose I’m calling in sick!
Let battle commence....
AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAhaha... ha.
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