Arsenal vs Chelsea: Arsene Wenger aims to take Blues on at their own game and instructs team to fight to the end in title race
Wenger feels Arsenal can challenge Chelsea at set-pieces after addressing the weakness in the team
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsene Wenger has instructed his Arsenal side to fight until the very end in the hope that today’s opponents Chelsea slip up in the race for the Premier League table.
The Blues arrive at the Emirates with a 10 point buffer over the Gunners, while they lead second-placed Manchester City by nine points with two games in hand over the reigning champions.
But despite their sizeable lead in the table, Wenger wants his players to keep pushing until it’s mathematically impossible to win the title, and feels there’s no better way to do that than to gain his first ever victory over Jose Mourinho.
Writing in his programme notes, Wenger said: “This afternoon’s match is a huge test for us, and one I believe we are ready for. We have three main targets. The first is to solidify our position in the league.
“We are in second place at the moment [at time of writing] and we can make this position stronger. The second target is of course to keep our run going. We want to continue to win. The third is to get closer to Chelsea before the end of the season. When you have an opportunity like that, you want to take it.”
“It’s not over and we have to fight until the end to get as close as possible,” Wenger added. “You never know. We have to continue to believe that we can get closer and closer and we have an opportunity this afternoon, which we want to take.”
Wenger also explained that he is ready to take Chelsea on at their own game. Having seen the Blues taste success at set-pieces, Wenger has drilled his side to improve an area that has long been deemed a weakness of the Gunners, and feels that they can take the game to the Blues today at corners and free-kicks in the opposite half.
“Of course today’s visitors are strong in many areas, including from set-pieces, but we have been reasonably good when defending those lately and have scored 20 ourselves this season, which is the joint-highest total in the Premier League,” Wenger explained.
“I’m very pleased with that because it was one of our weaknesses for a long period. The fact that suddenly we have good numbers is of course comforting and highlights that we are more dangerous and have more variety at our own set-pieces. On that front, we are more efficient now.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments