At the beginning of the season, there weren't many who thought Arsenal had a realistic chance of winning the title apart from a few optimistic Gooners, but after a blistering start to the season many had begun talking up there chances.They had bounced back from the double defeats in Manchester early on in the season and had returned to fantastic form in the Premier League. That was until last Saturday and an unexpected defeat at Sunderland, where Arsenal in truth weren't themselves. They have since returned to winning ways though after seeing off Standard Liege 3-0 in the Champions League in midweek.
Now comes a huge test of their mettle though as league leaders Chelsea visit the Emirates on Sunday. Arsenal currently find themselves eight points behind the Blues with a game in hand. While nobody can write off a side like Arsenal in November, you feel they need to win this one or at worst not lose.
Arsenal were unlucky to lose against Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier in the season, after being the better side for large parts of the game. But that is what the best do, they win games when they are not at their best.
Sometimes you don't feel the Gunners are capable of this, for them to beat Chelsea on Sunday I feel they will have to be at their best. They will not want to be reminded of the 4-1 beating that Chelsea dished out to them at the Emirates at the back end of the last campaign. While Arsenal are perhaps the nicest on the eye, there is no doubting the quality Chelsea have at their disposal.
But Chelsea are not inhuman, they are capable of having an off day, particularly on their travels. This is a game where all results are possible, but one you feel Arsenal will need to win to stop the fight for the Premier League title becoming a two-horse race.
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Defoe Sends Out A Reminder To Capello
After banging in five against Wigan last week, Jermain Defoe has perhaps reminded the whole of England why he should be in England's starting line up next summer.
It was a truly phenomenal display from Defoe and watching it you do have to question why Emile Heskey would be deployed ahead of him. Sure Heskey brings something different to the side with his hold up play, but I feel you need your strikers to score goals.
Indeed I would favour Peter Crouch ahead of Heskey, while he is not as strong, he can hold the ball up and also score goals. This is not a witch hunt or a major criticism of Heskey but this is a player who doesn't start regularly for Aston Villa, while it was Defoe and Crouch who got six between them against Wigan last Sunday.
Wayne Rooney is number one striker and rightly so, but he isn't always prolific but it is he who brings so much to the team that he can't be ignored. For me, Rooney and Heskey wouldn't be enough of a goal threat at next summer's finals.
There is also a certain Michael Owen, hero of previous major tournaments, to consider. For me, he is definitely worth putting on the plane, but for him to be picked he needs to be scoring regularly for Manchester United and prove he is fit enough.
So right now, if I was Fabio Capello I would go with Rooney and Defoe to start up front with Crouch as a different option if needed.
