CHELSEA vs ASERNAL
Stamford Bridge
10th December 2006
16.00GMT



This unarguably is the match of this weekend and its going to be decisive looking at it from different perspectives.Asernal needs a decent result to keep their title challenge on track while Chelsea needs to win to close up the gap on Manchester United.Peeps,what do u think will go down and who is likely to win?Well,I won't debate that the favourites are Chelsea but it seems Asernal get their acts right when they have met the top teams this season...

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..To the one who spoke and the galaxies leapt into existence....who can't be explained on a chalkboard but can be accessed through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.....whose word never returns to him void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.....the one in whom I am complete.....the great I am...who was,who is and who is to come....
www.ifreke.blogspot.com

as a gunner,i believe we might just get this somehow..

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..To the one who spoke and the galaxies leapt into existence....who can't be explained on a chalkboard but can be accessed through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.....whose word never returns to him void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.....the one in whom I am complete.....the great I am...who was,who is and who is to come....
www.ifreke.blogspot.com

Ashley Cole takes centre stage on Sunday when London giants Chelsea and Arsenal clash at Stamford Bridge, live on Sky Sports 1.

Click here to vote on the outcome of the game

What is normally a feisty affair between the two rival clubs has only been intensified by the nature of the left-back's deeply controversial transfer deadline day move across London.

The tapping-up scandal that preceded Cole's exit from The Gunners soured relations between two of the Premiership's most successful clubs, and Cole is well prepared for the inevitable torrent of abuse that will come his way - much of it deserved according to the typically forthright Jens Lehmann.

However Sunday's showdown - inevitably billed as a meeting of Arsenal's art and Chelsea's industry - is about much more than personal vendettas, with adversaries Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho desperate for a win as the season enters a crucial juncture.

By 4pm on Sunday, Chelsea could be a full nine points behind league leaders Manchester United, with their title credentials under scrutiny in a way Mourinho has never experienced since his arrival in English football.

However the Portuguese tactician has never lost at the hands of Wenger, winning three of their five encounters to date, and the Gunners boss knows only a win would be enough to keep Arsenal's fading hopes of league success alive.

His task is hugely complicated by the fact that Chelsea have not lost at Stamford Bridge since March 2004, a spell encompassing an incredible 51 games, but the team to take all three points on that day was Sunday's visitors.

Injuries look set to deprive Arsenal of a number of key men, with captain Thierry Henry at the top of the list due to a troublesome sciatic nerve problem which should rule him out until the New Year.

William Gallas has just a 20 per cent chance of returning to Stamford Bridge for the first time since acting as a makeweight in the Cole deal, with a thigh injury seemingly sparing the French international from a hot reception from the Chelsea support.

With fellow defender Kolo Toure suspended, Wenger will be praying that Johan Djourou shrugs off a hamstring problem to partner Philippe Senderos - who has endured something of a personal nightmare against Didier Drogba in the past.

Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky remains a doubt after missing the UEFA Champions League draw with Porto due to a hamstring problem, whilst Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are still short of fitness ahead of anticipated January returns.

Chelsea have no such injury concerns, but Mourinho's main problem is in goal as Carlo Cudicini is currently struggling with a muscle problem, meaning Hilario could deputise for the stricken Petr Cech.

Magnus Hedman is available for league encounters, meaning Chelsea will avoid having to print a keeper's shirt for Didier Drogba in case of emergency as they did in Europe in midweek.

Mourinho admitted on Friday that he has nine 'untouchables' in his current side, leaving Andrei Shevchenko out of the equation, but the Ukrainian striker may well start on Sunday despite reports of his unease at Stamford Bridge.

However it is Cole who will capture the limelight on a tension-filled afternoon in the capital, as Mourinho's machines and Arsene's artisans go head-to-head in one of the most intriguing clashes of the season so far.

Skysports.com Prediction: 2-0
Gunners missing too many key players to threaten Mourinho's untouchable home record.

Player to watch: Michael Ballack

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Chelsea 8/13 Draw 12/5 Arsenal 4/1
Chelsea to win 2-0: 11/2
Ballack to score first goal: 9/1
Senderos 1st player carded: 12/1
Click here for full odds with Sky Bet



Team Chelsea Arsenal
Games Played 15 15
Goal Attempts
Goals 25 25
Ave Goals per game 1.67 1.67
Shots (excl blocked shots) 203 209
% Shots on Target 45% 45%
% Goals to Shots 12% 12%
Passing
Short Passes 5,870 6,904
Long Passes 1,008 943
Overall Pass Completion % 81% 83%
Crossing
Total Crosses 337 367
Cross Completion % 28% 21%
Defending
Goals Conceded 8 12
Ave goals conceded per game 0.53 0.80
Tackles 403 402
Tackles Won % 79% 76%
Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions 632 508
Discipline
Fouls 182 147
Yellow Cards 24 29
Red Cards 3 1

Sky Sports Vote
What will the outcome be?
Chelsea
Draw
Arsenal

Sky Sports Vote
What will the outcome be?
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Draw
0%

Arsenal
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http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...rsenal+preview

__________________
..To the one who spoke and the galaxies leapt into existence....who can't be explained on a chalkboard but can be accessed through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.....whose word never returns to him void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.....the one in whom I am complete.....the great I am...who was,who is and who is to come....
www.ifreke.blogspot.com

Chelsea 2-0


Goals by Frank and DD

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Christ in you ...... is the Hope of Glory

yes oooooooo. arsenal rules.this weekend we go beat some paraga , i mean, ogogoro sorry i mean chelsea.....whatever

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a generous man enjoys the services of others - conficious

A victory for Arsenal would aid us (Manchester United) in our bid to win the premiership. Arsenal all the way.

Beating Chelsea at home is an Herculean task, however it can be done.

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"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."

"A river does not run through a forest without bringing down trees".

Correct guy! good thinking

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THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT ME; SO I GUESS I AM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

U MAY lOVE ME OR HATE ME BUT U CANT IGNORE ME

... That is a faithful WISH, but not this time SIR ! You know Arsenal is not doing well in their away matches this year. They'll lose !

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Christ in you ...... is the Hope of Glory

I know but against chelsea they will come all out like wounded lions

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THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT ME; SO I GUESS I AM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

U MAY lOVE ME OR HATE ME BUT U CANT IGNORE ME

Hmmm,now I guess not a few peeps were impressed by what the Gunners put up at Stamford Bridge....We almost won without all our injured stars.We made Chelsea look ordinary and I know a few teams would start copyin us.


@ MEEDEEN:-I know say na favour u dey find wey u *** support us but we don help una small....It cud av bin beta though but u guys shud concentrate on winning ur matches and not lookin around for favours.

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..To the one who spoke and the galaxies leapt into existence....who can't be explained on a chalkboard but can be accessed through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.....whose word never returns to him void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.....the one in whom I am complete.....the great I am...who was,who is and who is to come....
www.ifreke.blogspot.com

Ricki how far now? it's monday already what was the score now?

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THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT ME; SO I GUESS I AM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

U MAY lOVE ME OR HATE ME BUT U CANT IGNORE ME

It's part of the game baby

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THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT ME; SO I GUESS I AM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

U MAY lOVE ME OR HATE ME BUT U CANT IGNORE ME

We've been on fire so far this season.
BTW, we're looking for more favours from you guys when Chelsea go to the emirates.

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"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."

"A river does not run through a forest without bringing down trees".

We were great on Saturday. The guys were excellent with the exception of maybe Senderos.

The equaliser pain us well well. But if Chelsea are as good as Jose thinks they are, why didn't they finish us off?

And him saying after the game that we didn't come to play, that we came for a draw? Hello! we are Arsenal, we play the most exciting football in the world. We don't need to adopt negative tactics to win games.

That would be Bolton, Everton and of course Chelsea themselves!!!

And that Cashley Cole, what was all that stupid celebration about after the equaliser?

Bring on - well, anyone I say. Arsenal are BACK.

Prediction for Wednesday: Wigan 0 Arsenal 3

@highlighted. Actually, Barcelona play the most exciting football in the world.

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"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."

"A river does not run through a forest without bringing down trees".