The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea: Three key clashes against a terrible Arsenal on Boxing Day

By Travis Tyler

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: David Luiz of Arsenal battles for possession with Olivier Giroud of Chelsea during the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: David Luiz of Arsenal battles for possession with Olivier Giroud of Chelsea during the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: A sunset behind the corner flag inside the stadium ahead the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge on January 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: A sunset behind the corner flag inside the stadium ahead the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge on January 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

3. The FA Cup ghost and new demons

Much of the patience around Arteta seems to be based on the FA Cup win against Chelsea. Mind, they came by it fairly but it bought Arteta a lot of time he really hadn’t earned. Since that final, Arsenal has only gotten worse as their team has aged and Arteta has shown himself short of solutions.

Chelsea, meanwhile, has only gotten better. The Blues went from a helter skelter side that can now maintain some control over matches. There are no title contenders right now, but Chelsea has a much larger stake in it this season than Arsenal ever did with Arteta.

So now, a year on from Arteta taking charge, what does this fixture look like? Lampard’s early struggles have faded away to turn into a genuine team. Arteta’s has gone from a breath of fresh air to a fancier park the bus team.

As mentioned earlier, these are the games Chelsea struggles with but the Blues really need a statement for that FA Cup loss. Arteta is more and more showing that it was a fluke and the Blues need that revenge. It might cost Arteta his job at a normal club and Chelsea might not be all that upset about that at the end of the day.

Next. Chelsea: Three things to look for in the Boxing Day bout at Arsenal. dark

What key clashes do you think will split the fixture? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!

Home/Premier League