Will Ozil get a chance to prove worth and other talking points as Arsenal take on Chelsea

Aditya Devavrat 22:20 17/01/2019
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  • Arsenal take on Chelsea this Saturday in a battle between the Premier League‘s fourth and fifth-placed sides, giving this heated rivalry an extra edge.

    Unai Emery’s Arsenal side have only won twice in their last six league games, a run of form that has seen them lose ground to their London rivals in the race for Champions League spots.

    Chelsea too have looked indifferent in recent games, but Maurizio Sarri’s men have managed to win four of their last six nonetheless to hold pole position in that race.

    Here’s a look at the key talking points ahead of the game.

    WILL THERE BE AN OZIL SIGHTING?

    The news around Arsenal at the moment paints a picture of a club in crisis. Head scout Sven Mislintat is on his way out after just over a year into what was supposed to be a long, well-planned revolution. According to Emery, the club can only afford to make loan signings this window.

    And at the heart of it all, there’s Mesut Ozil.

    Arsenal’s highest earner hasn’t played since Boxing Day, and has only started 12 of Arsenal’s 22 league games this season. He’s managed four goals and two assists in 16 appearances across all competitions, so even when he’s playing, he hasn’t been effective. And there’s a clear stylistic clash between player and manager.

    The high-intensity, pressing game that Emery is trying to instill doesn’t suit Ozil. The German’s measured, calm approach to passing doesn’t fit with Emery’s philosophy. The sooner the two are separated, the better.

    But until that happens, can the Arsenal manager really afford to leave out one of his best players?

    Ozil links up well with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, and few players have his vision and passing range. He could be just the player to tip the scales in a game like this. Does Emery trust him?

    Ozil and Emery have been at odds at Arsenal.

    Ozil and Emery have been at odds at Arsenal.

    CHELSEA CAN’T AFFORD SLIP-UP

    By the time this game kicks off, Manchester United could be within three points of Sarri’s side – and three ahead of Arsenal – only adding to the pressure on both sides.

    Arsenal know a loss will leave them nine points behind the Blues, which would probably be a terminal result for their top four hopes.

    Yet, there is a sense that Emery’s focus this season is to get into the Champions League via winning the Europa League, given that he won the competition three times in a row with Sevilla.

    They of course will still want to finish in the top four, but this season has a feel of United’s first under Jose Mourinho – prioritise the cup competitions to give the new manager some silverware instantly.

    Chelsea, too, are in the Europa League, so that route of qualifying for the Champions League is available to them also. But with a squad that is so reliant on a small number of key players – Eden Hazard and Jorginho, namely – they can ill afford any dip in form.

    Sarri hasn’t faced this level of pressure so far in his first season in England. Away from home in a derby, his, and his team’s, mettle is about to be tested.

    Chelsea need to keep winning with United and Arsenal on their tales.

    Chelsea need to keep winning with United and Arsenal on their tales.

    CECH DESERVES A SEND-OFF

    There is no room for sentiment in the middle of a heated rivalry and a close top four race. But there will be one universally loved figure at the Emirates on Saturday.

    Petr Cech won 13 major honours in 11 years as a Chelsea player – as he correctly pointed out while announcing his retirement, “every single trophy possible”. He earned such acclaim that Roman Abramovich sanctioned his sale to direct rivals. His time at Arsenal hasn’t been quite as productive, but it’s brought one FA Cup trophy and 40 of his Premier League-record 202 clean sheets.

    It’s not likely that Emery will give into the moment and give Cech a spot in his starting XI, given that the Czech Republic man hasn’t made a league start since September. But it would be a nice touch, and there’s an argument to be made that he’d be an improvement on Bernd Leno, who can be error-prone – though the same could be said of Cech in his latter years.

    But at the very least, there should be some sort of tribute from the only two clubs he’s played for in England. It’ll be a moment of warmth before the hostilities begin.

    Cech will hopefully get a moving tribute.

    Cech will hopefully get a moving tribute.

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