They say records are there to be broken, and Arsenal definitely have to overcome a few when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. I was just looking through the official Chelsea website to see what they were thing about our game and found these statistics they had compiled ahead of the game. It doesn’t make pleasant reading but there are some positives on our side….
CHELSEA IN NUMBERS
Chelsea play Arsenal on Saturday for the 196th occasion in all competitions, more than we have played against any other club.
The Blues won five of our past six home league games against the Gunners and drawn the other (0-0 last season).
The Gunners’ last victory at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League was in October 2011 when they won 5-3.
Arsenal have failed to score in four of their last five Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal won one of their past 13 Premier League clashes with Chelsea, although in all competitions they are unbeaten against us in six matches.
Chelsea have lost one of our last eight Premier League games (against Newcastle on the final day of last season), winning five and drawing two of those.
That visit to St James’ Park is the only league game in the past 10 when we failed to score.
We have won one of our last four games at Stamford Bridge, against Liverpool in May.
At Huddersfield, Jorginho became the 22nd Chelsea player to score on their Premier League debut for the club.
ARSENAL STATS
Formed 1886
Major trophies
13 League championships, last in 2004
13 FA Cups, last in 2017
2 League Cups, last in 1993
15 FA Charity/Community Shields (1 shared), last in 2017
1 European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994
1 Fairs Cup in 1970
Last season
Premier League – Sixth
FA Cup – Third round
League Cup – Runners-up
Europa League – Semi-finals
Community Shield – Winners
Top scorer all competitions – Alexandre Lacazette 17
The Gunners are seeking a first Premier League title for 15 years.
Arsenal have two victories in their last nine opening weekend Premier League games, drawing three and losing three.
The Gunners are hoping to avoid losing their first two Premier League games of the season for the first time since 1992/93.
Arsenal have gone 17 Premier League games without a draw dating back to 3 January, when Chelsea were the visitors to the Emirates.
On the road, the north Londoners have lost seven of their past eight in the Premier League.
Stephan Lichtsteiner is the oldest outfield player to make his Premier League debut for Arsenal, at 34 years 208 days.
Last season’s Premier League stats
Most starts: Granit Xhaka 37, Hector Bellerin 34, Petr Cech 34
Most goals: Alexandre Lacazette 14, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 10, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez 7
Unai Emery’s record v Chelsea
Won: 0
Drawn: 1
Lost: 1
Well there are the facts in black and white, but history does not always repeat itself so I’m told. With Unai Emery now in charge I really think it is time for us to get a Premier League win at the Bridge, and it would be nice to score a goal as well!
Can we do it? Yes we can!
COYG
Sam P