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Arsenal vs Chelsea: Blues can play crucial role in PL title race

By Abdul Abdullahi

Arsenal players vs Chelsea (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal players vs Chelsea (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 18: A general view of the emblem of Chelsea on the outside of the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Southampton FC at Stamford Bridge on February 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

The Battle of the Bridge

A crucial match in the Premier League title race between Chelsea and Tottenham on May 2, 2016, is remembered for all the dramatic reasons. Chelsea came from behind in a thrilling game to draw 2-2, giving Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City the Premier League title. But in a game that the media dubbed the most dishonorable in Premier League history, 13 yellow cards were issued, including nine to Tottenham players, the most for any team in a single match in the league’s history. The match quickly earned the moniker “The Battle of the Bridge.”

Under Jose Mourinho, CFC won the championship the season before, but the wheels fell off, and he was fired in December 2015. They were guided to safety at the middle of the table by Guus Hiddink, who had been hired to fight the fire. Contrary to appearances, there was nothing at stake in the matchup with Spurs. Blues favorites Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas stated as much prior to the contest:

"“The fans, the club, the players — we don’t want Tottenham to win the Premier League.”"

Cesc Fabregas followed up from Hazard’s words, telling Sky Sports:

"“The fans, the club, the players — we don’t want Tottenham to win the Premier League.”"

Interestingly, ‘The battle of the Bridge’ between Chelsea and Tottenham was played on the 2nd of May, and the matchup between Arsenal and Chelsea will be – you guessed it, also on the 2nd of May. Coincidences? I think not. In reality, we don’t have the caliber of players who would give it their all in an important rivalry matchup and not treat it like any other game.

Next. 3 Stars Chelsea must sell this summer. dark

I hope to be proven wrong but the current core of ‘stars’ Chelsea have at the moment, and especially under Frank Lampard as their temporarily gaffer, I just don’t see a reaction coming. Seeing a rival of yours winning the league will leave an extra bitter taste to fans globally, on top of finishing in the bottom half of the league table. Will Chels’ do the unthinkable and surprise Arsenal?

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