It might have been different for Arsene Wenger if Arsenal had not suffered another one of our slip-ups in midweek and failed to recover from a slow start against a surprisingly good Watford team to slip to a first defeat in nine games and the first of 2017.
It was our first loss at home in the Premier League since the start of the season as well, but it was a loss and it leaves our manager with little choice but to risk all and go for the win at Stamford Bridge Bridge today. A draw is not a lot of use to us to be honest so we may as well risk defeat and hope for the reward of all three points and closing the gap to six points.
However, the tactics the Gunners are likely to adopt will play right into the hands of Antonio Conte and Chelsea, according to a Sky Sports report in which their former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink gave his thoughts on the big derby clash.
The Dutchman said, “The beauty is Arsenal have to win to give themselves a chance. That is actually great for Chelsea because Chelsea is a different animal when the opposition is open.
“They’re so organised, and very comfortable without the ball. They’re going to have spells where they’re not going to have the ball because Arsenal are fluent and can keep it for long spells. I can only see a Chelsea win.”
Will Arsenal be walking into a Chelsea trap if we are too attack-minded? And do we have any choice?
Bob.
A slow ineffective first 45 minutes is what we`ve become to expect from the Gunners, this could be one reason Giroud rarely fires in the starting line up. He needs to be introduced once the team has warmed up and found it`s rhythm. At Arsenal he will always be an impact player which is a shame. I question whether Wenger can motivate a team to come out of the blocks all guns blazing? Add to this his fixation with Ramsey who slows play down and it explains my reaction when I see both their names on the starting sheet.
You are soooo right. People seem to think highly of them. Sorry i dont. I would start the Ox or rearrange and bring in Perez than start Ramsey and Giroud. We beed aggressive hungry players in the starting line up. Ramsey and Giroud should come in at the 60min mark to “finish off” a game that i can guarantee, we would be winning
Wilshire and Coquilen should be our mid field right now, without Carzola we are not moving forward. Can we get him back?
Perhaps it’s time to risk the warmth and safety of fourth place for a genuine assault on the title.
Nah, We will be too busy picking the ball out of the net in between getting booted off the park, whilst being booked and 1 or 2 of our players getting sent off.?