What They Say - Arsenal v Chelsea

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
06 May	4:00 PM	P	Chelsea (H)	1	1	Draw

There is no denying that, ahead of this clash would be one of the most important games for Chelsea. After failed to advance to the final stage of the Champions League, blowing the chance to secure a quadruple for this season, Chelsea would not risk blowing another chance for a treble. Scouting of what the Blues Fans have to say at www.cfcnet.co.uk are somewhat interesting, I was welcomed in the forum with quite good responses. Enjoy

Do you think you stand a chance to win the league this season after your latest results?

You always stand a chance until it's mathematically impossible. You have to keep believing, but our chances have definitely slimmed. If we win against Arsenal and ManUtd lose to City we've got it in our hands, but we need to be very lucky now. Our focus will be more on the Champions League and FA Cup Final. - Josénumberone

Yes, I'm not going to concede the title until it is mathematically impossible. If City win on Saturday, we will win the title, I hope! – Chelsea Boy

I'd like to say yes, but realistically, we blew our chance at Newcastle. Playing 0-0 against a team missing most of their better players and who regularly get beaten by the likes of Reading was really frustrating. - Flinkers

We still have a chance but it is growing slimmer by the day with injuries and results hampering what should have been a magnificent comeback. – bornblue

No not really, mainly because I can't see us getting more than a draw against you. However if we did beat you I definitely think we will win our remaining 2 home games, so it is down to whether Man U can drop points. I think there is a slight chance of that if West Ham need a win there to stay up. So my answer would be very slim. - Millbankblue

Of course, we stand a chance, admittedly, it's a fairly small one, but as long as it's within the realms of possibility I don't see why we should admit defeat. Admitting defeat is a sign of weakness, if your a strong character with belief in your own ability, you'd give everything right until the very end and never give up until it's over. I don't know what to make of Mourinho's recent comments, he's basically conceded the title to Ferguson, I just hope it's one of his mind games because that's not the type of attitude we want around our players.
For me, Chelsea's title challenge depends on two results, both United and ours next games in the league. If we can beat you (Arsenal) and Man City can turn over United, then I think we stand a very very good chance of retaining the title once again. All we'd have to do is beat Man United at Stamford Bridge and pick up three points in what should be a fairly simple home tie afterwards. – BluEbOy90

Sadly I think that It's not very likely but it IS still possible. I'm encouraged by the fact that United have a difficult derby away at City, they've got to come to us, and they'll be facing a fighting West Ham. They could still lose two matches out of the three. - LdnCarl

Sure, before we needed man u to draw one game and lose to us, now they have to lose one or draw two and lose to us, very possible as they are playing Man City (Derby that can go either way, and they have only 48 hours to prepare) and West Ham (fighting for their lives) – Gunni

If you could have a player from the current Arsenal squad, who would it be?

I think I would go for Robin van Persie. We've got two world class strikers and two good wingers, but no real number 10 if we play Joe Cole on one of the wings. Robin van Persie is the kind of player that can create a lot of goals. Besides that, he can also take a very good freekick with his left foot. We only got rightfooted takers really. van Persie is going to be a really big player. – Josénumberone

I've always admired Tomas Rosicky. Either him or I'd have Billy Gallas back. – Flinkers

Gallas... he's by far your best player. – Bluesbrother

Touré would be a handy 3rd Centre Back behind John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho!

Fabregas! From what I have seen of him outstanding. We have a great youngster in Mikel & they would be brilliant together. – Millbankblue

I'd have a whole list, in order of preference - Diaby, van Persie, Henry (Surprise, surprise), Gallas, Touré - Bridgejunky

I'd probably have to say Gallas, don't understand why he was let go, I can't believe for one second that he wanted to switch from Chelsea to (no offence) a team not really challenging for the big honours. It must be the French connection...
The only reason I say Gallas is because we're in dire need of a strong central defender, and it's been obvious how much of a miss he's been since we let him go. If I were to take any other player, it'd be Fabregas. You're lucky to have that kid, best young player in the country for me, he'll only get better too. - BluEbOy90
well this depends, I would like to have Gallas back but because of him being a fool, I'd say Henry simply because he is a prolific striker who could easily replace Sheva. He would pair up nicely with Drogs too. – rikybains1

Are you happy by the outcome of this season for now, or did you expect better at the beginning of the season?

It's an amazing season for us. Of course, when we signed Ash, Ballack and Sheva we would have thought it would be even easier in the League, but this is much more interesting and we had a lot of injuries. The Mancs have a terrific season, so it's more difficult, but I'm far from disappointed. – Josénumberone

Yes in as much as we are still fighting on all fronts going into the last month. Given that, only a few seasons ago we would have been happy with one trophy, we are have one already and a chance of 3 more. So yes I'm happy. – CFC old timer

Even if we only win the Carling Cup, I will be more than pleased with this season - being the first Premiership team to be in contention for four trophies all the way to the end definitely counts as a result in my mind. – TheOneKEA

Very disappointed with the performances of our two main summer signings - Ballack and Shevchenko, but considering the injury problems we've had, satisfied with how things have turned out. But if we don't win either the FA Cup or the CL it will go down as a poor season. – BlueEmpire

It's disappointing that we're probably going to surrender the Premiership to those overrated w*nkers from the North but if we get past Liverpool tonight, and show Manchester just who the real champions are in our games with them, it will be a great season. – Flinkers

Happy enough if we win the CL, but if we're left with just the two domestic cups I'll be dissapointed as we got so close in the major competitons. – James Prescott

It's not over, but what a season. By far the most exciting of the last 3 years. I am emotinally drained, so all credit and respect to our players for still hanging in there. – rwhite

No happy, although I would like us to be a bit more attractive to watch at times. – Millbankblue

Great season, a proper season. We probably need to win more than the Milk Cup to make it really worth while but this has been a proper contest this season and has been exciting. It has also been useful in teaching a lesson to our newer fans that success isn't guaranteed when you support Chelsea (or anyone for that matter). - Blue Jock

Would gladly swap the Carling Cup, plus any other cup we might win for the league title so, assuming United don't collapse, it will be a disappointment but... the achievements in doing what we've already done is amazing. Instead of giving him stick people should stand and aplaud in awe at what José & his squad have done this season. - Bridgejunky

I'm happy so far. We won the league cup and are still in with a chance at the Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup. Who wouldn't be happy with that? I had hoped we'd look better in the Premiership at this point (although I did expect a VERY close battle). – LdnCrl

I think everybody expected better at the start because of our recent reputation but considering our team had changed a fair bit, I'd give them the slight benefit of the doubt but now we're coming to the business end of the season , the losses throughout the season are unexpected and unacceptable. – rikybains1

I expected we would win one of the CL or the Premiership, one is still possible. All those expectations were changed by circumstance. Anything more than that League Cup will be a bonus. - hanuma

Who has been your best player this season? Anyone who we should look out for?

Who you should look out for? I think if you play Senderos you should always look out for Drogba. He can't handle the guy. Drogba has been great this season anyway. He's very strong and atletic. He's scored against you in the past, but will be more dangerous than he was before. – Josénumberone

Several of our players have been great this season - Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Carvalho, Cech, Essien, Mikel and Makelele have all been very good. Shevchenko, Ballack and Kalou have been good, but they aren't quite there yet.

As for watching out for players, I look forward to watching Drogba tie the Gooner CBs in knots – TheOneKEA

Essien for me. He's been outstanding all season in every position he's played and hasn't complained at any stage. – Flinkers

Essien or Drogba. Both have been superb all season, and Essien probably nudges it. Powerhouse in midfield and so versatile. – James Prescott

Drogba and Essien are the obvious shouts, but I think Ricky Carvalho has been absolutely outstanding holding the defence together through a very tough season defence-wise – bornblue

Ricardo C has been outstanding pretty much every game, followed closely by Essien. The one to watch out for though is Mikel, pure class. – Millbankblue

Carvalho. It's too soon to put the hex on any of the young crop by highlighting them but a number have completed very successful loans this term and one has even made his full international debut in recent months. – Bridgejunky

Drogba has been exceptional at times, he's scored plenty of goals and really offers that physical presence up front...and in defence it would seem. Michael Essien has also been brilliant, he's been asked to play in various positions and done a great job with probably central defence being the exception here. Ricardo Carvalho has been our best defender by some distance, he's probably the best central defender in the world right now. Those three are probably the stand out choices. – BluEbOy90

Drogba has been the obvious star man but someone who is underrated and rarely spoken about is Carvalho, he has been immense all season its a shame he is injured. Essien is another one who has been great and you guys should know all about him ! I hear he is reasonably good at long shots! Mikel ,recently, has been very consistent and very improved. I personally believe that in 3-5 years he'll be the next Vieira. – rikybains1

Who has disappointment you the most this season (performance-wise)?

I disagree with people saying Ballack disappointed. He's been okay. I think Sheva disappointed more, but I'm not really frustrated about someone. They've all had their good and bad days. But for Shevchenko had the highest expectations.- Josénumberone

Shevchenko because he looks so slow in the Premier League. We paid far too much for him and got him about 3 seasons too late. – CFC old timer

Shevchenko, unfortunately. There are a lot of mitigating factors in his case, but there have been a number of snafus from him that you wouldn't expect from someone of his experience. – TheOneKEA

Bouhlarouz. I thought he'd give the side a little more security in the event of injury to our first choices but his performance been very similar to Asier del Horno's. He doesn't inspire confidence, he's a little too 'grabby' for a defender and I think he'll be gone in the summer. – Flinkers

Shevchenko definitely. After all the hype, the fee, the expectation, he has been a dissapointment although his work rate has been good. But can do a lot better. – James Prescott

Ballack and Shevchenko. The former needs to sort out his first touch and short passing and give a little more, the latter has not a shred of pace anymore which hinders our attacking options somewhat. – bornblue

None, as we had 6 new players, 5 new to the EPL and some take longer than others to fit in. The new palyers have often made up the large percentage of the team (e.g. Liverpool away) and it isn't easy. Berbatov for Spurs who has been used as an example of someone who has fitted in easily, has been able to play with a group of other players that knew each other. – rwhite

Robben, so much ability but very rarely delivers. – Millbankblue

Not Sheva - I told people here that I did not consider him to be as good as his reputation would suggest and was ridiculed for it. Sadly, if I were to repeat that thought now, a few might feel that our hit man has justified it. – Bridgejunky

Frank Lampard. He's looked clueless in many games, he's just not the same player any more. I'll make an exception with Ballack because it's his first season. To be fair to Shevchenko A) It's his first season B) He's been drowned out by the brilliance of Didier C) He has actually performed very well on various occasions and scored a respectable amount, it's just not happening for him in front of goal and other areas of the pitch it would seem. – BluEbOy90

Recently, Lampard has been disappointing. Ballack has been disappointing too throughout the season although he is picking up speed now. the obvious major disappointment is Shevchenko, I dont think you need me to explain why. – rikybains1

Who do you think is the most threatening player in our squad ahead of this game?

Adebayor looks up for it in recent weeks. – RobbenTopBombing

Adebayor is doing well at the moment. So I think he'll be your most dangerous player. – Josénumberone

Adebayor is playing well at the moment and, with Carvalho out injured, another beanpole striker may cause us a few problems. This one's quick too. – Flinkers

Fabregas has an eye for a killer pass – bornblue

I rate Fabregas very highly & I like the big man up front, sorry for being ignorant but I'm not going to attempt to spell his name. – Millbankblue

Adebayor - he was one of the best players I saw at the Bridge this season. – Blue Jock

All your squad is dangerous, Henry or van Persie if they would be fine I would suggest them but now I don't know who to pick. – mihk3l

Cesc, his defense splitting passes are something the opposition can do without, plus he knows when to shoot, a characteristic most of the gooners lack. – ali_isb

You don't have many. Brilliant at putting on a fireworks show in front of us, but a bit cack at getting any meaningful penetration. If van Persie is fit he would be the guy. - hanuma

Care to predict your line-up?

Depends if United win against city, if so we will rest Lamps, Drogs etc – RobbenTopBombing

Hard to tell really, depends on a lot of things. It'll depend on how the CL semifinal has turned out for us. And it'll also depend on the Utd-City result. – Josénumberone

Depends on tonight's game (CL's Liverpool) as the result could affect the rest of the season's goals and, given our luck with injuries this season, who else will be injured. - CFC old timer

Cech, Cole, Terry, Essien, Geremi, Makelele, Lampard, Mikel, Cole, Wright-Phillips, Drogba – BlueEmpire

Cech, Ferreira, Essien, Terry, A. Cole, Makelele, Mikel, Lampard, J. Cole, Drogba, Robben playing our patented league winning 4-3-3. – Flinkers

Cech, Diarra, Essien, JT, A.Cole, Makelele, Mikel, Lampard, J.Cole, Drogba, Kalou/Robben – James Prescott

Difficult with the injuries but if we have the same players available as tonight then I think. Cech, Bridge, Terry, Essien, Diarra, Maka, Lampard, Mikel, Cole, Drogba, Robben. – Millbankblue

Strongest possible because it's win or bust on Sunday. – Bridgejunky

---------------Cech---------------
---Diarra---Carvalho---Terry---Bridge---
---------------Mikel---------------
---------Essien-------Lampard------
---------------J.Cole--------------
----------Drogba-----Kalou--------- - BluEbOy90

Starting: Cech, Diarra, Essien (assuming Carvalho is injured), Terry, Bridge, Mikel, Lamps, J. Cole, Robben, Drogba, Kalou
Bench: Cudicini, Sheva, A. Cole, Wright-Phillips, Boulahrouz - LdnCarl

Cech, Cole, Terry , Carvalho(if fit, if not Essien), Diarra, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, SWP, Drogba, Kalou. – rikybains1

Cech-Ferreira-Terry-Carvalho-Bridge-Mikel-Lampard-Essien-J.Cole-Drogba-Kalou (so no Ashley-he would have got a terrible reception) – hanuma

Do you expect Ashley to be on the team that will travel to Ashburton Grove? If so, what do you think of the reception he will most likely get?

I think he won't play. Bridge has played in the League in recent games, but if he'll play I think he'll get a standing ovation for his efforts when playing for Arsenal. Well, probably not, but he wouldn't be bothered really. He will just be a little bit more focussed and willing to do well. – Josénumberone

Yes. Ashley doesn't hide. He's got no reason to be worried about any abuse that your lot will throw at him. – CFC old timer

Yes he will, although Bridge should be he's much better. He'll be booed the whole game. - BlueEmpire

I have no doubt that he will play - if he can survive a booing from Spurs, he can survive a booing from the Gooners. – TheOneKEA

He'll play. José seems to regard him as his number one left back and we'll put out our strongest team to try and keep the title race alive as long as possible. He'll be booed, the Arsenal fans will sing their songs about he and his wife and he'll play through it. He'll probably do something that influences the result of the game too. – Flinkers

He will be in the team and he will get a bloody awful reception. I'd rather have Wayne Bridge though. – bornblue

Yes and I'm sure you will be very nice to him as he got you a good centre half in exchange. – Blue Jock

Don't think so. If he is I think he will get a very very warm reception but not in a good way!! Nothing wrong with that though as long as there is no throwing of stuff. – Millbankblue

Yes & I guess it will be hostile. I consider the reaction of Arsenal fans to Ashley to be bizzare and the result of a complete inability to understand what went on. I'm just as angry with the few Chels who also react badly toward him. – Bridgejunky
Our gaffer always tends to be controversial, so you can bet your shirt Ashley would be featuring, o'course he's gonna get booed off the pitch, must be ready for it. – ali_isb

He will play. He'll get plenty of stick, but so will Gallas from our fans. Get the tin hats on! – blueandproud

José Mourinho has been speculated to leave your club in the summer, suppose he will, would it be an advantage? or not?

I don't believe he will. But if he would, it would be very bad for Chelsea. People sometimes underestimate how hard it is to manage those superstars. They are all very big players that earn a lot of money, but still they hardly ever complain in public, they work hard and have a real never say die mentality. Just take a look at Real Madrid over the past few years and you'll understand what a great manager Mourinho is. – Josénumberone

José leaving would be a disaster for the Club as how would we replace the best manager in the world. – CFC old timer

No it won't, we will certianly go downhill without him at the helm. However we might start to play more attractive football instead of this grinding out results week after week, but you only have to look at yourselves to see that good football is no substitute for trophies. – BlueEmpire

With any luck he'll stay. I think it would be a monumental mistake to let him go and if he manages to do the Cup Treble I think he'll have proved his point. What worries me most is that, even if he does win more trophies for the club, he'll give Roman and the board two fingers and head for sunnier climes anyway... – Flinkers

He won't leave. IF by some disaster he did, it would set us back for a while, depending on the replacement, but not long term. – James Prescott

He won't leave and I see nothing advantageous in replacing the most successful manager in our history – bornblue

A disadvantage definitely. I don't agree with everything he does or says but the man is a winner there is no doubting that. Whereas there are a lot of Managers out there who I also disagree with a lot of things they do & say & they are not even winners. – Millbankblue

Despite huge nonsense spoken in the media our squads of the past three seasons have not been the largest or the most talented in the league. My point is the same squad but minus José equals no titles. In that sense therefore my answer is that the loss of José would be a massive disadvantage. – Bridgejunky

An advantage over what? I very much doubt Chelsea fans would be glad to see 'The Special One' go. You don't get that name for doing bugger all ya'know. Mourinho brought us our first domestic title success in 50 years, has arguably become the most loved (and hated) character in all of football. For that we adore him. It's already been stated that he is not leaving, but should it happen then fine. We'll find another coach, move on, and probably win more trophies. He won't be around forever. - BluEbOy90

After the brawl on our last meeting, in The Carling Cup Finals, do you think the actions done were fair? What are the precautions should be taken to avoid this in the near future?

It was just a bit of emotion. It can always happen and it wasn't a big problem for me really. I think Mikel shouldn't have been sent off, but Lampard should have as well as Fabregas. It was hard to tell for the referee and I think he did the best he could. – Josénumberone

I thought Mikel was unlucky to have received a red card but he took it in good spirit unlike one of yours. Will it happen again? Who knows how your players will react if they lose to us. I'd be more worried about our fans reaction than our players. – CFC old timer

It depends on your definition of fair. I won't dispute that in our case, Mikel has had some disciplinary problems since coming here, but to be honest the brawl was such a melee that anyone who wasn't at the game probably wouldn't have been able to see whether or not some of the actions postulated really took place. – TheOneKEA

No, they were ridiculous, as was the immediate reporting. It was handbags and Mikel's ban rankled in particular. What was most annoying (but unsurprising) was the way the FA clamped up and refused to talk about it. – hanuma

I thought that Mikel's red card was very harsh as he just did a tiny push then stood there. I don't think any precautions need to be taken, it was a one off thing in the heat of the moment, in a cup final. – BlueEmpire

In my opinion, anyone raising their hands in a threatening manner, or any player challenging a referee's decision, who is not the captain, should be carded or sent off. In that respect, the decisions made that day were fair.

I also think retroactive punishment of any offence caught on television, whether diving or otherwise should be allowed, while stronger fines and longer bans should be set for all offences. Teams should act professionally, play within the rules, and respect the officials decisions. Only then will all the crap that goes with football be banished from the pitch. – Flinkers

Through my wholly unbiased eyes, it seemed to be a result of your first team regulars losing the plot and causing a ruck. That said, there wasn't anything [I]that[I] bad committed.
To be honest, I thought Mikel should have been yellowed, he cheated to pull Touré's jersey and then tried to defend himself from a raging hypocrit of a defender (and Captain). Touré was the main culprit, he went nuts. He should have got a bigger ban as he was trying to fight everyone.
Perhaps Frank and Cesc could have been sent off for acting like eedjits. Adebayor came steaming in as the ruck developed and, watching it in slo-mo on dvd, he does appear to swing with his left.
José seemed to be doing the right thing when he intervened, Wenger seemed to slope on behind him in an 'Oh no, not again' kind of way.
More than any club I can remember, Arsenal have been involved in more of these incidents than anyone else. Perhaps if Dein had quit before then, the authorities might have come down harder. – 1johnnyspencer

To be honest it all gets on my nerves, there were players at fault from both sides. If I'm honest I think your lads started it but I fully understand why, you were brilliant in the first half but found yourself loosing the game and getting frustrated & running out of ideas. It happens just punish them & move on it's not that important no one chinned anyone. – Millbankblue

Such overwhelming responses from the Chelsea fans, I thank you for their co-operation. In addition, Credit goes to a fellow Gooner of the forum, RC8 in helping me with the questions. To follow the discussion thread in full please click here and here.

User Comments

User Comments

• Got something to say?
• Read comments

Vs chelsea