Gunners can press home title claim
LONDON – Arsenal can take another step towards the Premier League title with a symbolic victory over champions Chelsea when they host their ailing London rivals at the Emirates on Sunday.
Victory would also take Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech closer to becoming the second player in English League soccer history to win the title with different clubs in successive seasons, after lifting his fourth league crown with Chelsea last year.
Cech made his Arsenal debut when they beat Chelsea 1-0 in the Community Shield and his campaign could finish on another high if he emulates Eric Cantona, who won titles with Leeds United in 1992 and Manchester United in 1993, the only player ever to do so.
One of the few bright spots of Chelsea’s woeful campaign came in September when they beat Arsenal 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in a fractious match in which the Gunners had Gabriel Paulista and Santi Cazorla sent off.
Arsenal’s season has blossomed since, however, and Chelsea’s has wilted with manager Jose Mourinho sacked in December.
Arsenal lead the standings and Chelsea are 19 points adrift in 14th place with their interim coach Guus Hiddink saying last week they were not yet free of relegation worries.
Arsenal, who have several top players out injured, lead the table on goal difference from Leicester City, but they could be boosted by the return of playmaker Mesut Ozil, who missed the 0-0 draw at Stoke City on Sunday with a minor foot injury.
Wenger is also hopeful that striker Alexis Sanchez will be able to feature for the first time since succumbing to a hamstring problem at Norwich City on November 29, although the Chilean is not certain to be involved.
“The good news is that Ozil certainly will be available,” Wenger told his pre-game press conference at the Arsenal training ground.
“Sanchez, the next two days will be decisive, but this time I think he will make it for selection.”
The Gunners have little margin for error if they are to win their first title since 2004.
Leicester have confounded everyone by remaining doggedly in the title race with manager Claudio Ranieri now aiming for 79 points by the end of the season, rather than his original target of 40 usually needed to avoid relegation.
They will be keen to get three more when they host Stoke tomorrow after drawing 1-1 at bottom side Aston Villa last weekend.
Manchester City travel to West Ham United for tomorrow’s late match with Manuel Pellegrini’s side a point behind the leading pair. – Fixtures (5pm unless stated) Norwich v Liverpool, 2.45pm; West Brom v Aston Villa; Watford v Newcastle; Sunderland v Bournemouth; Man United v Southampton; Leicester v Stoke; Crystal Palace v Tottenham; West Ham v Man City, 7.30pm Everton v Swansea, 3.30pm; Arsenal v Chelsea, 6pm