After a sticky start following his return to Chelsea, life suddenly looks pretty good for Jose Mourinho with his side breathing down the necks of Premier League leaders Arsenal. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Gunners go into the latest round of matches at the top of the table, two points clear of their opponents and Chelsea who face Newcastle earlier in the day.
But their confidence has been hit by back-to-back home losses to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and a League Cup exit at the hands of Chelsea.
Sandwiched in between was a victory at struggling Crystal Palace that maintained Arsenal’s impressive start to the championship campaign.
But Wenger, bidding to end Arsenal’s now eight-year-long trophy drought, knows his side must quickly reverse the dip in home form.
Olivier Giroud will return to lead the Gunners’ attack after starting on the bench against Chelsea and the Frenchman’s contribution – he has scored five goals in nine league games – is likely to be central to Arsenal’s chances of claiming three points.
The striker has overcome a slow start to his career in England and attributes his improvement to a growing self-belief.
“I think technically I had it before, maybe I progressed because we have worked on it a lot in training,” he said. “It is also down to confidence. I did well from the start of the season, I had good preparation with the team.
“I feel really confident, the boss made me feel good and that is why I feel good and try to improve every day. It is all about confidence I think.”
Chelsea’s form making selection tough for Mourinho
After a sticky start following his return to Chelsea, life suddenly looks pretty good for Jose Mourinho with his side breathing down the necks of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea can go top for a few hours at least with victory at Newcastle United.
With 13 points from the last 15 available, striker Fernando Torres looking rejuvenated, options all across the pitch and an empty treatment room, Chelsea are clearly hitting their stride.
Yet, the form of his squad is causing Mourinho a few headaches, especially when it comes to deciding which players must be consigned to the substitutes’ bench or the stands.
“It’s not easy for me to leave players at home and on the bench because everybody deserves to play,” said Mourinho.
“I’m unfair with the players I am not selecting because they are doing everything to play.
“It’s a difficult feeling for me. All of my players have a collective soul at the moment. That’s the most important thing.”
Today’s fixtures
Arsenal v Liverpool
Fulham v Man United
Hull v Sunderland
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Chelsea
Stoke v Soton
West Brom v Palace
West Ham v Aston Villa
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2013.
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