Archive for March 23rd, 2008

Chelsea Preview: Adebayor & Cesc hoping to outshoot Drogba & Lampard

Add comment March 23rd, 2008

When Avram Grant became Chelsea manager, he promised to make them a more entertaining outfit to watch.  He has managed to do so, but perhaps not in the way he envisaged – rather than improving their attacking play, he appears to have relaxed their formerly water-tight defence, leading to high-scoring games such as the 4-4 draw at Tottenham in midweek.

We at Arsenal haven’t really been able to boast of a secure back-line in recent weeks either.  The soft goals conceded to the likes of Birmingham and Boro in recent weeks have provided yet further evidence that William Gallas and Kolo Toure have never quite fulfilled their potential as a partnership.

So perhaps today is one of those rare occasions when a clash between two top four sides has the potential for goals.  The reverse fixture was a tight match decided by a late William Gallas header.  This time, however, the winner ought to be the side whose attacking play is best able to take advantage of defences lacking in confidence.

When it comes to goalscoring, both sides will be looking to their own dynamic duo, each comprising a talismanic midfielder and powerhouse striker.  The comparisons between Emmanuel Adebayor and Didier Drogba, two players who clearly both fall into the latter category, have been made all season.  Injuries and the African Cup of Nations have put Drogba firmly out of the limelight during this campaign, and in his absence Adebayor has emerged as the league’s most physically fearsome forward.  John Terry has listed the Togolese striker as one of three most difficult opponents he’s ever faced – whether he copes better with Ade than Kolo Toure does with fellow Ivorian Drogba could decide the game.

Frank Lampard and Cesc Fabregas play football with different attitudes but similarly spectacular results.  Lampard is a pragmatist, Fabregas an artist.  The Englishman is obsessed by goals, whilst the Spaniard plays as if he is searching for the perfect pass.  Rarely do Arsenal win a game in which Fabregas under-performs.  Whether or not he can summon another superhuman effort to defeat Lampard & Co will determine the course of the game – and the assistance of partner in crime Mathieu Flamini could be decisive.

Finally, congratulations to Theo Walcott, who survived the seven man cull to make the England squad for Wednesday’s game with France.  Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, and Mathieu Flamini are all in the French squad.

If Liverpool do us a favour today and we win at Chelsea, we’ll not only spoil their four-year long unbeaten record, but be joint top of the table.  It’s a hell of a prize to play for.  Let’s go for it.


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