Arsene Wenger will attempt for the 13th time to outwit Jose Mourinho on Sunday as the two biggest clubs of the capital lock horns at the Emirates stadium. Arsene Wenger has been upended by the Chelsea manager on 12 occasions, a run dating all the way back to 2004.
Match Preview
Arsene Wenger mentioned in his press conference this week that Arsenal have not always lost against Jose Mourinho because they have been close. Wenger also questioned Mourinho’s defensive tactics only to be criticised for Arsenal’s shambolic 3-1 defeat against Monaco in the Champions League. Arsenal have won their last eight league games, a run unheard of since the memorable season of ‘The Invincibles’. Arsenal haven’t actually scored a goal against Chelsea since January 2013, in a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, they’ve not beaten Chelsea at the Emirates since December 2010 either. Is it the lucky 13 for monsieur Wenger this weekend?
Chelsea have all-but wrapped up the title and are two victories away from a fourth Premier League title in ten years, three of which would have been won by Jose Mourinho. The former Porto Manager’s sensational record against Arsenal and Arsene Wenger will be in the back of his mind this weekend, and it seems clear how Chelsea will line up tactically. Mourinho will look to play for a draw, just as he did at home to Manchester United last week.
Cesc Fabregas is set to receive a hostile reception as he returns to his former homeland having said he’d never wear a Chelsea shirt, and reports suggest he never wanted to rejoin Arsenal, he has also not been in contact with Wenger since moving from Barcelona to west London.
Team News
Per Mertesacker is ’50-50′ for the tie after limping out of Arsenal’s Wembley semi-final last weekend, and Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are not yet ready for action.
Jose Mourinho will make a late decision over whether to risk Diego Costa in north London, with Loic Remy and Arsenal nuisance Didier Drogba both doubtful.
Prediction
We all know Jose Mourinho will park the bus and try to make it a boring game, 1-1 is my bet, but hopefully Arsenal can end their Mourinho hoodoo.
