It has been a Premier League start for Jose Mourinho to forget, as Chelsea title defence has taken massive blows in their opening five league games.
The champions are currently sitting 17th on the table and have only four points from their opening five matches.
Although The Special One has brushed off claims of a Chelsea title hangover and his ‘third season curse’, his side have currently undergone their worst league start in 30 years as they struggle to find their winning form.
There could, however, be no better time for Mourinho’s side to being their Premier League table rise than a victory over bitter London rivals Arsenal.
This rivalry has plenty of bad blood on and off the pitch in past seasons, with Mourinho and Wenger exchanging in a war of words when this fixture comes around.
Mourinho famously labelled his Arsenal counterpart ‘an expert in failure’, however, Wenger holds the last laugh last time these sides met.
Arsene Wenger’s side holds a victory over Chelsea already this season after the Gunners claimed the Community Shield with a ran out a one-goal victory.
The Community Sheild victory was emphasised with Wenger’s new summer signing the former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech making several match-saving saves for his new side.
This time around, Mourinho could make changes to his tactics to outdo his former shot-stopper and claim victory against the Gunners.
Chelsea can take some comfort in the fact that Arsenal lost their opening Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb two-one. In what was a disappointing match for the Gunners across the board.
Mourinho’s side fared much better in their Champions League opener defeating Israeli side M. Tel-Aviv four nil. Although there was little doubt in Chelsea losing this encounter, the victory saw players that were low on confidence like Deigo Costa and Cesc Fabregas star the champions.
With Costa scoring in the midweek European clash, it will be a massive positive for Mourinho coming into the Arsenal match. As the Chelsea, talisman has struggled to score this season.
Chelsea will also hope Eden Hazard returns to his trailblazing self in the weekend’s match, as the Belgian can prove to be a game-changer at any given moment.
So, with a confidence-boosting victory under their belt, Chelsea stars look to have regained their confidence and could return their best as they look to recover from their slow Premier League start.
With a victory against Arsenal, Chelsea can mark their turning point of their season as they look to make up 11 points against table leaders and direct title challengers Manchester City.
The Special One has had defensive issues amongst his squad in his opening Premier League games with the side conceding in all five league matches so far.
Gunners striker Oliver Giroud was sent off in Arsenal’s Champions League match and could be left out of the starting eleven. Which, will come as a pleasing sight for Chelsea heading into the clash.
It will be interesting to note how Chelsea comes into this match. As to whether go all out attack and pressure the Gunners or sit defensive and hit Arsenal on the counter-attack through the midfield.
Although one thing for sure, this match always plenty of emotion behind it.
For the champions, it could be a defining moment in their title defence this season whatever the result.
For Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, nothing would make them happier than halting Chelsea’s momentum before is can begin.
A victory against the Blues will also be Arsene Wenger’s first league victory against Mourinho in eleven matches.
With plenty to gain for both sides in this fixture, it will undoubtedly be a hard fought battle both on the pitch and in the technical areas.
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