Chelsea unlikely to fall to Gunners

CHELSEA have a fantastic recent record against Arsenal, with just two losses in eighteen against the Gunners and five straight wins, and they should backed to continue that impressive record in tonight’s contest at the Emirates.

Arsenal are a team about whom very few people can seem to agree about at the moment – there presence in the title race still being a point of debate in regards to its sustainability. They did their cause no favours with a flat and lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford in their last Premier League match, and the fear of defeat that so gripped them on that evening cannot be discounted as a factor in this contest.

Arsenal’s three home defeats this season is also only bettered in the entire league by West Ham’s four, as Arsene Wenger’s side have struggled to shrug off the tag of being a team of talented kids that once again fails to have the resolve and heart necessary for a prolonged title campaign. While the dangerous Robin van Persie may be selected for the hosts tonight, 10-goal striker Chamakh may be given a rest, according to Arsene Wenger.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have suffered with their own form of late. Since beating Fulham 1-0 at home at the start of November, the Blues have won only once – a 2-1 home victory over MSK Zilina in the Champions League.  However, their poor run of form had coincided with the loss of Frank Lampard to injury as well as struggles from Drogba and Anelka. Both Drogba and Lampard came off the bench as Chelsea came close to winning at Spurs last time out in a game that finished 1-1 only after Drogba missed a late penalty, and a return to form of Chelsea’s star-men cannot be downplayed in its importance. After 4 straight league wins to start the season, many people had already crowned Chelsea as champions, and while those predictions may have been overblown so are any predictions of Chelsea’s imminent demise.

In another contest where both Arsenal and Chelsea will have their title credentials tested, it will be no surprise if the hosts are found wanting again. Chelsea’s mental resolve has certainly been tested by their poor run of form, but they should their class and toughness against Tottenham at White Hart Lane – both things that were so palpably absent for Arsenal at Old Trafford. Since neither team can afford to lose, the game may be a cagey encounter where a point becomes increasingly acceptable to each coach, but since it is hard to envisage an Arsenal win, Chelsea are value at Evs in the draw no bet market.

SUGGESTION:

Chelsea DRAW NO BET (Evs @ Coral)