By Boris Mellor
December 17 2005

This match will not end Arsenal’s chance to win the league, that chance died at Bolton. Nonetheless it’s an important game for Arsenal’s season, losing to a team that have never defeated Arsenal at home in the Premiership would not be a good way of building confidence for the rest of the season.

 For Chelsea may never get a better chance to end their miserable run at Highbury, with Vieira gone Gilberto was meant to be the senior man in the midfield, thanks to shit refereeing he is not available. The problems at left back continues, with the three Cs still injured, although many believe that in Cygan’s case that is an advantage. There is no doubt that the absence of Cole, and Clichy have undermined Arsenal’s, and Pires’s effectiveness on the left wing.

It is highly likely that the back four will remain the same as last week, Toure, Senderos, Campbell and Lauren. Up front it must be assumed that RvP will start alongside Henry, although Bergkamp is now available. No doubt he will play some kind of role. Wenger says we intend to play "our kind of game" if so then it should be RvP. It is not clear whether Reyes will be available, according to Wenger it is touch and go.

Midfield is more problematic, last year we were without Gilberto or Vieira for this match, but by the end of the game Fabregas and Flamini were dominating the game. This year Wenger has the option of Hleb, and some are suggesting (e.g. The Guardian) that Hleb and Fabregas will be the central pairing, if that is the case will Arsene play both Pires and Ljungberg? Our midfield already finds it hard to win the ball, so having either Flamini or Fabregas on the wing is a possibility. It’s also important to have some fire power in reserve. Chelsea will have a bench that costs more than the Arsenal squad, so the Gunners need to hold something back.

Chelsea have lost one and drawn one away from home in the Premiership, but Arsenal have won the last 13 games at home in a row, 14 wins would be a new record. Chelsea has conceded only three goals away, and Arsenal only two at home. No doubt Chelsea will play a waiting game in the first half, therefore its important Arsenal score any chances they make. It could be an irresistible force against an immovable object.