The Game

This time last year we faced Chelsea away from home and Robin van Persie helped us to achieve a memorable win. This year we face them at the Emirates first and the Dutchman will not play as he’s ruled out for five months. It’s a shame, it’s a big miss for the team but I believe those who will go out there can do the trick, provided they give it all, from start to finish.

If you want, please do join the discussion in our comments section which will also be active when the game kicks-off. For those who don’t know where to watch the game, maybe we can help, follow this link for streaming options.

The Line-Ups

Arsenal

Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Fabregas, Song Billong, Denilson, Nasri, Eduardo, Arshavin

Subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue

Chelsea

Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Joe Cole, Anelka, Drogba

Subs: Hilario, Ballack, Malouda, Zhirkov, Paulo Ferreira, Deco, Kalou

Half-Time Thoughts and Analysis

Some things just never change and watching Arsenal’s midfield being outpowered by Chelsea’s is so much a reminder of last season’s lost F.A. Cup semi-final.

We started brightly, kept on playing nice football, but when there’s no end product, it does happen that you go at half time losing the game by two goals to nil. Up front, Eduardo is just not good or maybe fit enough to do all the work by himself, a Bendtner would have been good for such a job, but not the Croatian.

Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin, two who are supposed to bring experience to the side, have been very anonymous, too little to show and Samir Nasri, on the other side of the wing, didn’t see enough of the ball, even though he seems to be the best one of the three today.

There was also a bit of bad luck in the two conceded goals, although one has to wonder why Denilson did absolutely nothing to challenge or even foul John Terry in the move which led to the first goal.

Not much to add. Substitutions are needed.

At half time, it’s Arsenal nil, Chelsea two.