Post by Salem6 on Oct 17, 2003 17:21:18 GMT
FA Premiership, Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Saturday, October 18, 2003. Kick-off: 3pm
By Richard Clarke
Make no mistake, Arsène Wenger considers tomorrow's game with Chelsea as "a direct confrontation with a title contender".
The West London side took over from Arsenal at top of the Premiership table with a 0-0 draw at Birmingham in midweek. Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has invested heavily in the squad over the summer using money provided by new owner Roman Abramovich. But can they be serious championship challengers so quickly?
They put down their marker on the opening weekend of the season when they won 2-1 at Liverpool. But for some the acid test comes tomorrow at Highbury. Wenger, however, has no doubts.
"I am convinced they will be fighting for the championship," he told Arsenal.com. "It is a new challenge for us. Everybody expected Arsenal or Manchester United to be fighting for the championship but Newcastle, Liverpool and especially Chelsea will be there too.
"This is a big game for us because you know that the number of points you make against the big teams always has a strong influence on the final result of the season.
"My players have fought for the championship before. They have had experience of a direct confrontation with a championship contender. They know losing at Manchester United and drawing at home cost us the championship last season - that is why this is a huge game tomorrow."
Wenger is without Freddie Ljungberg (ankle), Patrick Vieira (suspended), Martin Keown (calf), Stuart Taylor (shoulder) and Philippe Senderos (back). But Dennis Bergkamp is fit and Ray Parlour is included despite suggestions an ankle problem might keep him out.
Chelsea's squad is blessed with talent and depth. The only question for Ranieri thus far has been who to select.
"They have only bought big players - Mutu, Makelele, Duff, Veron and Geremi," said Wenger. "They have unlimited resources so maybe they thought the best way to do it was to have two teams and rotate them.
"The advantage they have at the moment is that it is very difficult for opponents to predict who will be playing against them. The disadvantage if they rotate is to find the right balance."
Roman's empire will be the biggest threat to Arsenal's proud record against Chelsea over the years. The Gunners have not lost in the last 15 League fixtures between the sides, dating from September 30, 1995.
In recent games, Arsenal have staged dramatic comebacks at Stamford Bridge. Kanu scored all the goals in a 17-minute three-goal fightback in 1999. A year later, Silvinho's stunning long-range strike ensured a draw having trailed 2-0. Even last year, Kolo Toure - who receives his Arsenal.com Player of the Month award before tomorrow's game - equalized for his 10-man side in the second half.
"We have shown mental resources to win over the years," said Wenger. "And we have done it again this year. We were 1-0 down at Manchester City and at Liverpool but twice came back to win the game."
Similar strength and resilience will be essential tomorrow if Chelsea show their championship calibre.
Saturday, October 18, 2003. Kick-off: 3pm
By Richard Clarke
Make no mistake, Arsène Wenger considers tomorrow's game with Chelsea as "a direct confrontation with a title contender".
The West London side took over from Arsenal at top of the Premiership table with a 0-0 draw at Birmingham in midweek. Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has invested heavily in the squad over the summer using money provided by new owner Roman Abramovich. But can they be serious championship challengers so quickly?
They put down their marker on the opening weekend of the season when they won 2-1 at Liverpool. But for some the acid test comes tomorrow at Highbury. Wenger, however, has no doubts.
"I am convinced they will be fighting for the championship," he told Arsenal.com. "It is a new challenge for us. Everybody expected Arsenal or Manchester United to be fighting for the championship but Newcastle, Liverpool and especially Chelsea will be there too.
"This is a big game for us because you know that the number of points you make against the big teams always has a strong influence on the final result of the season.
"My players have fought for the championship before. They have had experience of a direct confrontation with a championship contender. They know losing at Manchester United and drawing at home cost us the championship last season - that is why this is a huge game tomorrow."
Wenger is without Freddie Ljungberg (ankle), Patrick Vieira (suspended), Martin Keown (calf), Stuart Taylor (shoulder) and Philippe Senderos (back). But Dennis Bergkamp is fit and Ray Parlour is included despite suggestions an ankle problem might keep him out.
Chelsea's squad is blessed with talent and depth. The only question for Ranieri thus far has been who to select.
"They have only bought big players - Mutu, Makelele, Duff, Veron and Geremi," said Wenger. "They have unlimited resources so maybe they thought the best way to do it was to have two teams and rotate them.
"The advantage they have at the moment is that it is very difficult for opponents to predict who will be playing against them. The disadvantage if they rotate is to find the right balance."
Roman's empire will be the biggest threat to Arsenal's proud record against Chelsea over the years. The Gunners have not lost in the last 15 League fixtures between the sides, dating from September 30, 1995.
In recent games, Arsenal have staged dramatic comebacks at Stamford Bridge. Kanu scored all the goals in a 17-minute three-goal fightback in 1999. A year later, Silvinho's stunning long-range strike ensured a draw having trailed 2-0. Even last year, Kolo Toure - who receives his Arsenal.com Player of the Month award before tomorrow's game - equalized for his 10-man side in the second half.
"We have shown mental resources to win over the years," said Wenger. "And we have done it again this year. We were 1-0 down at Manchester City and at Liverpool but twice came back to win the game."
Similar strength and resilience will be essential tomorrow if Chelsea show their championship calibre.
