Match Preview!!

Bringing back the romance of the pre-2009 days, on-the-rise Chelsea side faces an in-form Arsenal. So…where are the people who were berating Wenger? I guess 7 wins out of 8 games is enough to kill the fickle football fanatic.

Things to watch out for:

1) New Gunner Ju Young Park getting his league debut – He’s been brooding and lurking around Emirates like the hunchback of Notre Dame. Wenger says he’s need adjustment time since his controversial switch from Monaco/Lille, but many supporters have wondered whether its prudent to leave an on-fire international striker (7 goals in the last 4 games) when the club is having scoring issues. He raised his stock midweek in his second time playing for the club by curling a sweeet finish around Bogdan to knock Bolton out of the Carling Cup. Its possible that an attacking Arsenal side could utilize a 4-4-2 with him and RVP up front, though unlikely in my mind. Its more likely that RVP will start in their recent 4-3-3, with Park coming on later for Theo on the right.

2) Fernando Torres scoring and continuing his return to form – Chelsea fans are all excited by the fact that he had a brace against…Genk. Hm. I’m not so certain whether that heralds the return of the old Fernando Torres, but scoring against the likes of Arsenal will certainly go farther to prove his revival.

3) Return of the Verminator – He’s back, he’s fit, he’s ready to go. Thomas Vermaelen, purported savior of Arsenal’s shambolic backline might be the only thing that stops Wenger from kicking yet another water bottle. Funny though, I think he’s gotten a little pudgy. Just me?

4) The influence of Juan Mata – The Spaniard runs Stamford Bridge these days, but can he do for Chelsea what Silva does for City?

5) Sideline Bob – Scientists are perplexed on what David Luiz’s actual position is, considering his defense is full of bizarre and inexplicable decisions. My prediction: 17th minute- Luiz will make the executive decision to partner Fernando Torres up top mid-game, leaving John Terry to fend off all of Arsenal’s black players who are ready to shank him when Howard Webb bends over to tie his laces. Bosingwa and Cashley Cole will leap to his defense, but a quick transfer of a 1 pound coin from Frimpong to Cole’s pocket will have Cashley join in on the lynch.

6) Per Mertesacker – Wenger will realize that the 10 million pound difference between Mertesacker and Gary Cahill is pace and nothing else. Will the discount be worth it? A swift Chelsea front line might just prove a point, one way or the other.

I will be rooting for Arsenal considering Chelsea is the bigger threat to our title hopes. In any case, it will be a good game. I think Chelsea obviously has better personnel on paper, but Arsenal is more fluid when it comes to comparing 4-3-3’s. Added to RVP’s ridiculous form, and the controversy surrounding Terry, goals could be aplenty. One can only hope.