One of the Premier League's marquee games hits our screens for the early kick off this Saturday afternoon as Arsenal head to West London, looking to end a sequence of results that has not seen them claim victory at the home of their rivals since November 2008. Stats lovers beware, with 9 games gone so far this season, these sides sit 1st and 2nd in the foul play table with 42 yellows and 6 reds between them. Friendly it isn't and all eyes will be on Stamford Bridge come 12:45.
A summer of limited activity has seen new boss Andre Villas-Boas bring his own unique style and enthusiasm to what many see as an aging Chelsea team. Fernando Torres seems to have finally rediscovered the form that made him one of the top marksmen in Europe and Frank Lampard has been proving his critics wrong and continuing to do what he does best. Indiscipline seems to be a big problem right now however, with six yellows and two reds being shown last week alone. Recent years have shown Chelsea excel in this type of game but the lack of discipline shown this season (making them the worst in the league) will be sure to give the Chelsea boss cause for concern as one of the more ill tempered games of the season draws near.
If running a tight ship and making sure you have a wallet full of money is your game then Arsenal are the team to be. While out ransacking the bargain boutique this summer, teams around them have gone out and spent big money in their quests for Premiership glory. Losing Fabregas and Nasri will affect any team and, while reinforcements were brought in, the transfer window is now a good two months behind us and Messrs Arteta, Benayoun and Gervinho are yet to convince that they are the players to take Arsenal to the next level. Luckily for Arsene Wenger he did keep hold of at least one of his superstars in Robin Van Persie, who so far this season has been in blistering form. Keeping him fit is where the hard work really lies.
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