They were very big favourites last week, with what should have been an A-Grade pass for the Gunners against the newly promoted West Brom. Alas, they went 3 - 0 down, and only managed to claw back two goals and a little bit of dignity in front of their home fans to finish the match at 2 - 3.
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| Fabregas: Out of the Chelsea Game |
On Sunday, when Chelsea and Arsenal lock horns, Fabregas will be absent in the Arsenal side, and the problematic position of the goalkeeper will be filled by Lukas Fabianski with Manuel Almunia still sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Ancelotti, the Chelsea manger has had a hard week, after discovering his father Giuseppe had died, and so has gone back to his homeland to attend his funeral - leaving his assistant and staff to work with the players during the week and prepare for the week-end. Ancelotti will be back for the game, but he will be without Frank Lampard, who is still recovering from his hernia operation and will be absent, as well as Salomon Kalou and Yossi Benayoun who both picked up injuries in their recent Carling Cup game.This should be the game of the week-end, with both teams challenging for the Premier League title. If Manchester United lose against Sunderland on Saturday, then Arsenal could move a point behind leaders Chelsea with a win.
Arsenal must work very very hard for a win though, because nowadays, Chelsea don't often lose two Premier League games in a row - it may well be a harder test for Arsenal than it will be for Chelsea.
Team P W D L GD Pts
1. Chelsea 6 5 0 1 +19 15
2. Man Utd 6 3 3 0 +7 12
3. Arsenal 6 3 2 1 +9 11
