We Ain't Got No History - Matchday 17: Arsenal vs. ChelseaChampions of Europe!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52884/21_SBN_002_We_Aint_Got_No_History_Favicon_32x32..png2013-12-24T21:25:45+00:00http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/rss/stream/49992492013-12-24T21:25:45+00:002013-12-24T21:25:45+00:00Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Player Ratings, Three Stars
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<figcaption>Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<b>1. JOHN TERRY</b> - DC</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>7.9</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>54</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes</span><span><b>33/41</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots</span><span><b>0/1</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Aerial duels</span><span><b>4/6</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Clearances </span><span><b>9/9</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> may be in a slightly unique position of not having a true big local rival (thanks for being crap, <a href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fulham</a>, Brentford, QPR). <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a> are just about as close as we can possibly get to one. It's on derby days like these when you need your best players and your biggest leaders to step up (as opposed to, you know, slip and fall down comically), and that's exactly what Terry did on Monday.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Terry is a bit a throwback to the previous era of no-nonsense defenders and with Chelsea sitting deep and compact, he had the chance to shine. In fact, the whole defense (including the very much underappreciated Mikel) acquitted themselves quite spectacularly in keeping their precious Ozil, Walcott, Ramsey, and Rosicky in their pocketses.</div>
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<b>2. CESAR AZPILUCUETA </b>- DL</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>7.7</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>76</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes</span><span><b>25/35</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Tackles</span><span><b>5/5</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Aerial duels</span><span><b>4/4</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Clearances </span><span><b>10/12</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Ahead of the match, Mourinho made it clear that Azpilicueta is his first choice left back, praising the Spaniard for playing without making a single mistake. While that may be exaggerating things a bit, Dave certainly didn't do anything in this one to disprove Jose's assertions.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Lining up directly opposite the rocket that is <span>Theo Walcott</span>, Athpillykweta cooled the Englishman's jets to the tune of a match-worst 61% pass completion and an Arsenal-worst 41 touches. Walcott was also kept without a single shot, while going 0/4 in aerial duels, 0/4 in take-ons (albeit not all against the Chelsea left back), and earning himself a yellow card, a considerable achievement given how stingy the referee was with his cards.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Azpilicueta was also credited with a clearance off the line. While I'm not entirely convinced that the shot posed any danger in terms of either direction or strength, somebody still had to get a foot to it just to be sure.</div>
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<b>3. GARY CAHILL </b>- DC</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>7.6</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>51</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes</span><span><b>36/43</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Aerial duels</span><span><b>3/3</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Clearances </span><span><b>5/7</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Cahill gets the plaudits by assocation, although any minor success that <span>Olivier Giroud</span> found came against our Terry wannabe.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Still, a solid effort overall from the now 28-year-old who will also soon celebrate his second anniversary at the club.</div>
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<p><i>OTHERS:</i><br>Cech (<b>7.2</b>), Ivanovic (<b>6.9</b>), Mikel (<b>6.9</b>), Ramires (<b>6.8</b>), Lampard (<b>7.3</b>), Willian (<b>6.4</b>), Hazard (<b>6.8</b>), Torres (<b>5.9</b>)</p>
<p><i>SUBS:</i><br>Schürrle (<b>5.9</b>), Oscar (<b>5.6</b>), <span>David Luiz</span> (<b>6.3</b>)</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/12/24/5242406/arsenal-chelsea-player-ratings-man-of-the-matchDavid Pasztor2013-12-24T07:23:17+00:002013-12-24T07:23:17+00:00Deck the halls with lots of ... parity?
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<figcaption>Abracadabra, hocus pocus! | Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<p>Fa la la la la la la la la; two points from the top; fa la la la la la la la la.</p> <p>Parity is a bit of a dirty word, ain't it? <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2013/11/26/nfls-circle-of-parity-in-one-neat-graphic-2013-edition/">The battle cry of the NFL</a>, it can be easily used to both extoll the virtues of an ultra-competitive league that is exciting every day and every minute of the season and to denigrate the overall quality of a given league to be simply full of mediocre teams all vying to be the least mediocre by the end of the season; sometimes all in the same breath, even.</p>
<p>Whichever worldview you prescribe to however doesn't change the fact that this year's Premier League is the most competitive in recent memory. I only looked at the last decade, but it wouldn't surprise me if it this season proved to be the closest title race since the introduction of three points for a win.</p>
<p>Here's how the Premier League top five shaped up after seventeen matchdays in each of the last ten seasons. Blue numbers mean one (1) game in-hand; yellow numbers mean two (2) games in-hand; "top" refers to the team in first place after Matchday 17 (mid-to-late December, ahead of Christmas, with their point totals shown under "first"), while "winner" refers to the eventual champions of that season.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3762005/topfiveparity.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Topfiveparity_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3762005/topfiveparity_medium.png"></a> <br id="1387867247584"></p>
<p>Look how close it all this this year! It's beyond ridiculous. Last season, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> trailed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> by six points at this time; this season, a six point gap to the leaders would put you in sixth and out of any European contention. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> in fifth trail <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> in first by only two points after 17 matches - that gap is smaller than the gap from first to second in five of the last ten seasons! Yes, the leaders' point totals are essentially the lowest after 17 played in the last decade, but that's just another symptom of parity.</p>
<p>The old adage used to be that home wins coupled with away draws were the key to consistent success - a strategy that lost some of its efficacy once wins were worth three rather than just two points. However, in a title race this close, we might do well to heed such advice once again.</p>
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<p>"We came to win, we wanted to win but it was very important not to lose, because if we did we are five points behind the leader. With a point we are two behind the two leaders and that is a completely different picture. We tried to win but we are not unhappy with the point."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><i>-José Mourinho; source: <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3589823/title/final-whistle-verdict-control-point">Chelsea FC</a></i></p>
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<p>Two matches shy of the official halfway point of the season, it's already apparent that Mourinho was right all along. This is not the same Premier League on which he ran roughshod with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> in 2004 and 2005. There's simply far too much talent on far too many teams.</p>
<p>That we're only two points off the pace with a squad that is a season short of being "phenomenal" is a good thing. The referee is about to blow his whistle for halftime on the 2013-14 season and we're basically at 0-0 with all of our title rivals. It's all to play for.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/12/24/5241006/barclays-premier-league-parityDavid Pasztor2013-12-23T22:54:05+00:002013-12-23T22:54:05+00:00Dull match ends 0-0 at the Emirates
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<figcaption>Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<p>Went in hoping not to lose, didn't lose. Alright then.</p> <p>So far this season, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> have played in some tough away games. Two stand out -- the game against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> in the second week of the season, and the slog we just went through at the Emirates. In both matches, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> set out not to lose, and both times he succeeded with 0-0 draws, utterly frustrating the opposition and also frustrating the fans who tuned in with an attacking display that might be charitably described as 'tepid'.</p>
<p>It's difficult to feel good about a draw when a win was both within reach and would have put us in excellent table position. The Gunners were toothless here, failing to register a shot on target until very late on thanks to a superb display from the Chelsea back line*, and it's entirely possible that Mourinho's tactics were too conservative, preventing the Blues from pressing the attack and securing three points rather than one.</p>
<p><i>*<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> fans will argue that some very odd officiating from Mike Dean made an impact; they may well have a point.</i></p>
<p>The match itself was played in a torrential downpour, and the rain had serious adverse effects on the play. Passes were overhit, skimming off the water-logged turf, and the teams' collective touch was somewhere in the region of appalling. This led to some very bad lunging fouls from both teams, the obvious standout coming when Jon Obi Mikel went for a fifty-fifty ball and ended up putting his studs into the Arsenal midfielder's calf, without being penalised.</p>
<p>The hosts were up in arms about both that and a call that came seven seconds later, with Dean refusing to listen to screams for a penalty when <span>Theo Walcott</span> took a dire touch and went down after being hooked by Willian, but there were several more dangerous tackles which probably ought to have drawn sterner punishment. Dean never had control of the match.</p>
<p>Fortunately for Chelsea, they did. Arsenal were stifled by our numbers in midfield and some extraordinarily disciplined defending. Apart from a clash with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic">Branislav Ivanovic</a> in the second half -- not exactly well thought out, that one -- Mesut Ozil was kept quiet, and Ramires's powerful running through the centre allowed the Blues to turn the Gunners' roundabout of pointless possession into a dangerous-looking counterattack whenever they made a mistake.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there was no bark to our bite going forward. Willian in particular had a rough day at the office, destroying two of our most promising chances with a poorly-struck (and poorly conceived) shot right at <span>Wojciech Szczesny</span> in the first half and then a botched pass to <span>Eden Hazard</span> in the second. Wasting those opportunities would have mattered less had Frank Lampard's shot been a millimetre or three lower.</p>
<p>It was the only moment of genuine quality in a match which probably deserved better. Hazard, who quickly realised that trying to dribble through the entire Arsenal side wasn't doing anyone much good, changed tack, scooping a delightful ball over compatriot <span>Thomas Vermaelen</span> for the vice-captain to surge onto. The volley was hit hard and true, blitzing its way past Szczesny only to crash off the underside of the crossbar, bounce down onto the line and trundle to agonising safety.</p>
<p>The near-miss, coming from the club's most reliable striker, felt like the pivotal moment of the game. Had it gone in and Arsenal been forced to push forward to equalise, the match would have become far more entertaining, a match of attack and counterattack rather than one which involved messing around in midfield before the ball went out for a throw-in.</p>
<p>Towards the end of the match, Arsenal did have a couple of chances to break the deadlock, but <span>Olivier Giroud</span> shanked a half-volley wide and then was denied from point-blank range in the 85th minute by John Terry. Cesar Azpilicueta then cleared off the line from a corner in injury time before the Blues went on the attack, with substitute midfielder and general chaos inducer <span>David Luiz</span> introducing some much-needed life into the final minutes. Sadly, he failed to introduce goals.</p>
<p>It's easy to be negative here. We all like to see Chelsea winning games, and this Arsenal side isn't so good that we should be scared of them. But after weeks of defensive catastrophe, a 0-0 draw at the Emirates in which the Gunners were completely shut down isn't the end of the world. We want better, but at least we didn't get a disaster.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/12/23/5239976/chelsea-vs-arsenal-final-score-resultGraham MacAree2013-12-23T21:52:55+00:002013-12-23T21:52:55+00:00Arsenal 0 - Chelsea 0: Initial reaction
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<figcaption>Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<p>We've had two trips to the Emirates this season and have yet to concede a goal</p> <p>As soon as we saw what the weather in London was doing today, I'm sure many of us half expected a scoreless draw. While <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> generally looked the more likely side to score, in the end the scoreless draw is what we ended up with.</p>
<p>While a win would have been quite a bit more fun, a point from this fixture is certainly a decent outcome. That leaves us two points adrift after 17 games, not a bad position to be in with January reinforcements to come. We'll have the full match report up for you in a bit, but for now here are a few thoughts on the game:</p>
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<li><span>I was fairly pleased when I saw the squad this evening, given the 80 mph winds and waterlogged pitch. The one place I wasn't thrilled was the inclusion of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres" class="sbn-auto-link">Fernando Torres</a>, as I thought <span>Demba Ba</span> would have been perfect for a sloppy, error filled game.</span></li>
<li><span>Say what you will about Mourinho's 'negative' tactics to start the game, but Chelsea were the only side to create anything of note in the first half.</span></li>
<li><span>It will be interesting to see whether or not the FA decide to take a closer look at the Mikel tackle from the first half. I'll be very curious to see what Mike Dean had to say about it.</span></li>
<li> <span>Arsene Wenger</span> should probably look into velcro or snaps, as the zipper continues to trouble him.</li>
<li>Mike Dean did a terrible job of keeping control of the game, something that seems to be the case anytime an official tries to 'let the players play'. </li>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/12/23/5239826/arsenal-chelsea-final-score-initial-reaction-community-rating-formStephen Schmidt2013-12-23T20:47:27+00:002013-12-23T20:47:27+00:00Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Second half discussion
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<figcaption>Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<p>Oh the weather outside is frightful....</p> <p>The first 45 minutes of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea's</a> second trip to the Emirates are in the books, and it was about as pretty as you'd expect given the conditions. Neither side looked particularly dangerous in the first half of this game, with the ball doing strange things whenever it was played in the air.</p>
<p>Chelsea were a bit unlucky not to take the lead just over 30 minutes in, as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a> beat Wojiech Szczesny only to be foiled by the crossbar. They then got a lucky break, as <span>John Obi Mikel</span> probably should have been booked (possibly red) for a sliding challenge on <span>Mikel Arteta</span>.</p>
<p>As always, keep the second half thread free of links to illegal streams, we've provided plenty of legal ones in the preview linked below. Let's keep the second half as disaster free as the first, and hopefully we'll be heading home with three points.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/12/23/5239300/arsenal-vs-chelsea-second-half-discussionStephen Schmidt2013-12-23T19:13:41+00:002013-12-23T19:13:41+00:00Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Lineups and discussion
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<figcaption>Alex Livesey</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues have felt at home at the Emirates since it opened in 2006, and will look to move ahead of Arsenal with another win there today</p> <p>The weather outside may be frightful, but hopefully the result of today's match will be delightful. <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> facing Arsenal at the Emirates is one of my favorite fixtures of the year, and judging from our history at <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal's</a> new home, it's right up there for our players as well.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho" class="sbn-auto-link">Jose Mourinho</a> has yet to lose to <span>Arsene Wenger</span> when the pair have gone head to head, and he's selected the following lineup in order to keep that streak going:</p>
<p><b>Chelsea XI:</b> <span>Petr Cech</span>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic" class="sbn-auto-link">Branislav Ivanovic</a>, <span>Gary Cahill</span>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry" class="sbn-auto-link">John Terry</a>, <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span>, Ramires, <span>John Obi Mikel</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a>, Willian, <span>Eden Hazard</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres">Fernando Torres</a></p>
<p><b>Bench:</b> <span>Mark Schwarzer</span>, <span>Ashley Cole</span>, <span>David Luiz</span>, Oscar, <span>Juan Mata</span>, <span>Andre Schurrle</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110144/samuel-eto-o">Samuel Eto'o</a></p>
<p>Arsene Wenger will need his first win over Mourinho in order to be top of the table at Christmas, and he's selected the following with that in mind:</p>
<p><b>Arsenal XI:</b> <span>Wojciech Szczesny</span>, Bacary Sagna. Per Mertesacker, <span>Thomas Vermaelen</span>, <span>Kieran Gibbs</span>, <span>Mikel Arteta</span>, <span>Aaron Ramsey</span>, <span>Tomas Rosicky</span>, Mesut Ozil, <span>Theo Walcott</span>, <span>Olivier Giroud</span></p>
<p><b>Bench:</b> <span>Lukasz Fabianski</span>, <span>Carl Jenkinson</span>, <span>Nacho Monreal</span>, <span>Santi Cazorla</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110199/nicklas-bendtner">Nicklas Bendtner</a>, <span>Mathieu Flamini</span>, <span>Lukas Podolski</span></p>
<p>As always, keep things civil and don't link or direct to illegal streams (our preview is linked at the bottom, and has listings included). Don't troll The Short Fuse, and enjoy the game.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/12/23/5238964/arsenal-chelsea-squad-news-lineups-crisis-discussionStephen Schmidt2013-12-22T19:33:50+00:002013-12-22T19:33:50+00:00Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Preview
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<figcaption>Jamie McDonald</figcaption>
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<p>Chelsea head across London for the second time already this season, this time with top spot in the Premier League on the line.</p> <p>Without playing a single match, this matchup has gone from first versus third to third versus fifth. That's how tight it is at the top of the Barclays Premier Parity League.</p>
<p><a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> in fifth is not a pretty picture, but it does get better when you realize that we're only three points from the top. Should we win, we're back on level terms with <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a> albeit just in second because of goal difference. Should we lose, we stay fifth, five points off <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal's</a> pace. It would not actually be, but it would probably (certainly?) feel tragic. And if there's a draw - a likely outcome, all considered - a grand total of two points would separate the top five sides. For the sake of competition, that'd be amazing.</p>
<p>We may have <a href="http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/10/29/5044138/chelsea-vs-arsenal-league-cup-final-score/in/4807289">already won at the Emirates this season</a>, and Chelsea may have yet to lose to Arsenal with Mourinho in charge (five wins, four draws), but none of that will matter one bit tomorrow. What will matter is Chelsea putting together their best performance since, perhaps, the UEFA Super Cup.</p>
<p><b>Date/Time: </b> Monday, December 23, 2013, 20:00 GMT; 3pm EST; 1:30am IST (next day)</p>
<p><b>Venue/Location:</b> Emirates Stadium, North London, UK</p>
<p><b>Forecast: </b> Rain. Rain, rain, rain, rain, and then, more rain.</p>
<p><b>On TV:</b> Sky Sports 1 (UK); NBCSN (USA); Star Sports 4, Star Sports HD 2 (India)</p>
<p><b>Online:</b> NOW TV, Sky Go (UK); NBC Live Extra (USA); Star Sports (India)</p>
<p><b>On bar stools, drinks in hand: </b> Yours truly, taking in all the liquid courage fit for midday consumption.</p>
<p><b>Arsenal squad news: </b> Mourinho has talked up Arsenal as potential champions, heaping special praise on his pal Mesut Ozil. Whether he's doing that out of genuine belief or as an attempt at mind games, there's hardly a question that Arsenal's early season form (confirming their league-best form for the 2013 calendar year) has them well-positioned for a title challenge. The sobering part for the Gunners is that they've coughed up an eight-point lead and they have yet to hit the toughest part of their schedule, but for now, they're reaping the benefits of staying the course with <span>Arsene Wenger</span>.</p>
<p>Wenger should have a most of his squad available, with defender <span>Laurent Koscielny</span> the one key injury. The Mertesacker - Koscielny pairing have started 11 of the last 12 league matches and Arsenal have yet to win any of Thomas Vermaelen's three starts, so there's something to give our strikers hope. <span>Abou Diaby</span> and <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> are long-term absentees. <span>Jack Wilshere</span> was a bad boy last weekend and he's thusly suspended. <span>Lukas Podolski</span> however is now available.</p>
<p>Arsenal are winless in three, a 2-0 loss in Naples sandwiched by a home draw versus <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a> and that 6-3 away shellacking by <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester City</a>.</p>
<p><b>View from the enemy: </b> <a href="http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">The Short Fuse</a></p>
<p><b>Chelsea squad news: </b> Marco van Ginkel is making good progress, but he's still a few months away from any sort of real action. <span>Ryan Bertrand</span> continues to carry some sort of mystery injury. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110300/michael-essien" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Essien</a> is suspended, having managed to pick up his fifth yellow on just his sixth appearance (fourth start) midweek. Impressive, Mr. Bison, most impressive.</p>
<p>Last time we played Arsenal, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho" class="sbn-auto-link">Jose Mourinho</a> had to point out just how much he values <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span> as a squad player who never complains and does exactly what's asked of him. Now, he needs to field question about <span>Ashley Cole</span> and whether he'll ever play another important game for Chelsea. The times, they sure are a-changin'. Joining Azpilicueta in defense will be <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry" class="sbn-auto-link">John Terry</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic" class="sbn-auto-link">Branislav Ivanovic</a>, and either a crazy Brazilian or a boring, timid Englishman.</p>
<p>My guess is that we'll see a front four of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres" class="sbn-auto-link">Fernando Torres</a> & The Three Amigos, although Willian could just as easily deserve a starting spot as well on account of his excellent recent form. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard" class="sbn-auto-link">Frank Lampard</a> and Ramires will no doubt hang out in the middle and approximate a midfield. Nothing less than our strongest starting eleven will do, to state the obvious.</p>
<p><b>Previously:</b> Chelsea are 4-2-2 all-time at the Emirates, winning four of the last five there. Since Wayne Bridge scored <i>that</i> goal, Arsenal have beaten Chelsea only four times in 24 tries (inclusive of that Champions League two-legged quarterfinal). While historically this cross-London rivalry has been decided in favor of Arsenal more often than not (71 vs. 57 wins), the recent advantage has been firmly in our court. May that long continue.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/12/22/5235758/arsenal-chelsea-squad-news-tv-streaming-information-previewDavid Pasztor2013-12-22T15:06:36+00:002013-12-22T15:06:36+00:00Arsenal vs. Chelsea: You choose the squad
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<figcaption>Jan Kruger</figcaption>
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<p>Channel your inner Mourinho ahead of the Festivus day match against Arsenal</p> <p>The Blues will head to North London tomorrow with a chance to push <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> out of the top 3, and they'll be doing so with a relatively healthy squad from which to choose. <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span> was the only new injury concern of note, with Marco van Ginkel is still out with his knee injury.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> has informed us that Azpilicueta will be ready to go, meaning he'll have all of his regular starters available for selection. He will have to do without <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110300/michael-essien">Michael Essien</a> though, as the midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a>, and will be suspended for Monday's match.</p>
<p>Once you've selected your squad, feel free to check in with the results of the voting <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ml7kA1EI4q7DsiwjP2lHrsau_N3_I9HawCWrGke_VIs/viewanalytics" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2013/12/22/5235176/arsenal-chelsea-you-choose-the-squadStephen Schmidt