adminLONDON. — Antonio Conte says Chelsea must seize the chance to move a step closer to winning the English Premier League soccer title when the leaders face Arsenal in today’s crucial summit meeting. Conte’s side are nine points clear at the top with 15 games remaining and victory over title rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge would be a significant moment in the race to replace Leicester as English champions.
Beating the third-placed Gunners would move Chelsea 12 points clear of Arsene Wenger’s side, as well as sending a message to the chasing pack that the Blues are determined to hold onto their lead.
Conte would dearly love to see off Arsenal after the north Londoners’ 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium in their previous meeting this season.
That was the most chastening moment of Conte’s first season at Chelsea and the Italian, whose side have lost only one of their last 17 league games, said: “There are 15 games remaining and 45 points. Now we must focus on Arsenal.
“They are a great team who can fight for the title. Don’t forget we lost 3-0 away.
“This could be a good chance for us to show that the second part of the season we are a totally different team if you compare us to the previous game. It is a good chance for us. We play at home, which is very important, but it will be a really tough game.”
With Chelsea held to a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Tuesday, Arsenal squandered an opportunity to close the gap as they crashed to a shock 2-1 home defeat against Watford. Wenger’s side haven’t won at the Bridge since 2011 and they must end that barren run to remain in the title hunt.
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, who won four league titles during his time at Chelsea, said of the Watford defeat: “It was a huge setback because we wanted to put ourselves in a better position going into the weekend.
“I always say that at this level you cannot play 80 minutes, or 85. You have to play 90 minutes with full concentration and everybody on top of their game.”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will sit among Chelsea fans during today’s Premier League clash.
Wenger will be serving the third of a four match touchline ban at Stamford Bridge.
The Frenchman sat in the directors box for the matches against Southampton and Watford. But the London Evening Standard say Wenger will be with Blues supporters in the middle tier of the East Stand.
It is said the Arsenal manager will be flanked by the club’s own security in a bid to avoid any problems.
The report says arrangements are being made for Chelsea stewards to escort Wenger to and from his seat.
After Tuesday’s surprise 2-1 defeat to Watford, Wenger was reluctant to say whether his absence on the touchline influenced the result.
“I don’t know, it’s very difficult to know, it would be an excuse,” he said.
“We prepared for the game well. We were warned that Watford would come and make it very physical. Looking at the preparation, I have no basic regret on how we prepared for the game.
“Did we think subconsciously that we could just turn up and it will work? I don’t know.
“But from the stands, I agree with you that our first-half was not at the level that we wanted.”
Fixtures (all 5pm unless stated)
Today: Chelsea v Arsenal (2:30pm), Crystal Palace v Sunderland, Everton v Bournemouth, Hull v Liverpool, Southampton v West Ham, Tottenham v Middlesbrough (7:30pm), Watford v Burnley, West Brom v Stoke
Tomorrow: Leicester v Manchester United (6pm), Manchester City v Swansea (3:30pm). — AFP.
Online Reporter
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