Showdown at Emirates!
•As Arsenal fights Chelsea for Champions League slot
By EMMA NJOKU
Saturday April 21, 2012
Arsenal hosts Chelsea in a crunchy London derby today with the result of the game expected to play a big role in deciding the 3rd and 4th spot in the league. Arsenal is currently seven points ahead of Chelsea, with the Blues having a game in hand. If the Gunners drop points in today’s match, Tottenham, Newcastle and even Chelsea will be back in hunt for the 3rd spot.
Both teams are coming into this match on the back of quite contrasting results. While Arsenal, who despite being in great form of late, lost its last match to Wigan at home, the second loss in 4 games against two sides fighting relegation, Wigan and QPR.
Interestingly, in between those two defeats, there was a brilliant victory over Manchester City, that in reality sums up Arsenal’s season so far. More than the result against Wigan, Arteta’s injury was the biggest disappointment.
Meanwhile, Chelsea ousted Tottenham in the FA cup, hammering the London club 5-1 in the Semi-final, but there biggest result came in the Champions League. The Blues defeated the mighty Barcelona 1-0 at the Stamford Bridge, in the first leg of the semi-final. It was a massive result by the London side, one of its best defensive performances in recent times.
An intriguing match is on offer as London derbies hardly disappoint. This time though, there is more on the line than just pride – a six pointer it is. Who will come out on top?
Meanwhile, Johan Djourou has warned his teammates they must “show up” against Chelsea today at the Emirates to avoid a second successive home defeat.
The Swiss defender believes another lacklustre display today could once again leave the Gunners taking an anxious glance over their shoulders in the race to secure Champions League qualification.
“Technically we were not good against Wigan and were missing sharpness in our passes. It is difficult to win games when you are like that,” Djourou admitted.
“Maybe it was a bit of fatigue, but we all know Saturday (today) is very important and we have to show up for this one.
“We would rather be in this situation than where the others are.
“The most important thing is to come back stronger, and what better chance to do it than against Chelsea?”
The Blues head across London in the middle of something of a tough schedule, with the small matter of a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona to contend with.
Djourou, however, does not expect European ambitions to deflect any of the focus from the FA Cup finalists.
“Chelsea still want to have Champions League football next season as well so we know it is going to be a tough game,” the 25-year-old said.
“Obviously they have a lot of fixtures, the two Barcelona games is maybe a plus for us, but we don’t really concentrate on that.
“We have to be focused on our game and be focused on what we do best.”
Djourou added: “We need to play football the way we did against Manchester City and Wolves, that is the sort of situation we have to get back into.
“We have to show that again. Unfortunately it wasn’t the case against Wigan but we have to be sure it is there on Saturday (today).”
Wenger confirmed after Tuesday’s match midfielder Jack Wilshere would miss the rest of the season because of a long-standing ankle problem, which also now rules the 20-year-old out of contention for the European Championships in the summer.
The Gunners appear set to be without Mikel Arteta against Chelsea, the Spain midfielder forced off after less than 10 minutes with an ankle injury.
Wenger admitted his team had been punished for a sloppy start, but is expecting a response against Chelsea.
“It is a defeat that is very difficult to swallow because we have done so well in the last two months. Everybody is deeply disappointed,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
“I wouldn’t put it down to complacency, I just think the way we defended the first two goals was not acceptable.
“I was still confident at 2-1 especially, but unfortunately in the second half we did not have a lot to offer.”
Wenger added: “We knew it anyway that the Chelsea game would be massive. It is even more important now.”
