Premier League: Arsenal vs Chelsea preview

Dec 23, 2013
Premier League: Arsenal vs Chelsea preview
Interesting fact before Monday night's big match: Arsene Wenger has never managed to beat Jose Mourinho in nine matches, Mourinho won five and drew four. Arsenal know that a win would take them back at the top of the table, a position that was gained by Liverpool on Saturday thanks to a 3-1 victory over Cardiff. Manchester City climbed into second spot by beating Fulham 4-2. A win for Chelsea would move them level on points with Liverpool while Arsenal would slip to fourth place. Last season's two league matches between Arsenal and Chelsea ended 2-1 in favour of the Blues, who also won a League Cup fourth-round meeting at the Emirates Stadium 2-0 in October. Arsenal lost 6-3 to Manchester City in their last league match, but have not lost a top-flight match at home since the opening day of the season. Chelsea's last away match ended in defeat, 3-2 at Stoke two weeks ago. Mourinho knows Monday's match will be much tougher than the League Cup match in October. "It's a different competition, with different motivations, different responsibilities, and, in some cases, different players," he said. "It's a big match for sure. It's still a London derby; it's still Arsenal and Chelsea. I'm ready for the game; I'm waiting for the game and I very much want to play the game." Arsenal will be without Jack Wilshere, who is serving a two-game ban for making an offensive gesture to Manchester City fans last weekend. "Wilshere was wrong in his reaction; we just thought it was a one-game ban and that's why we appealed but we are now in a situation where we have to accept it and wait until he comes back, and focus on our next games without him," Wenger said. Here are the odds for the big match at Bet365: Arsenal win - 7/5 Draw - 12/5 Chelsea win - 11/5
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