• Premier League

Arsenal could be facing another Chelsea humiliation

Premier League Spotlight previews the weekend's top-flight fixtures, highlighting the key points to keep an eye on as the action unfolds...

Weekend battle: Chelsea v Arsenal

On March 22, 2014, Stamford Bridge was the scene of a humiliation. Arsenal headed west through the congested streets of London for Arsene Wenger's 1,000th game in charge of the club - what better time to wipe the smirk off nemesis Jose Mourinho's face and claim a first win over the Portuguese? Alas, as anniversaries go this was arguably the nadir, as a ruthless Chelsea embarrassed their rivals, leaving their inadequacies naked and for all to see with just a chalk line of their dignity etched on the turf.

That 6-0 defeat added to a growing list of pathetic Arsenal performances away from home against top-quality opposition, which oddly were often endured in Saturday lunchtime kickoffs. On each occasion Wenger witnessed his team practically beckon their foe toward an empty net, as if the referee's opening whistle had inflicted a hypnosis that meant all football logic fell out of the players' heads. And after each torturous 90 minutes, the club's manager of 1,000 games offered next to no explanation for the consistent capitulation.

Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho have an unfriendly history © Getty Images

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One definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". Read into that what you will but be warned, Arsenal fans, for September's trip to Borussia Dortmund that ended in a 2-0 loss (and could have been far heavier) did not suggest the side, or indeed the manager, know how to buck this trend. Sunday is the opportunity to disprove that deduction. Perhaps Wenger should swallow his attacking pride to avoid defeat, rather than try to win at all costs.

There seems no plan for the bigger matches, adopting a naive approach that their own game will be enough rather than a consideration of what strengths and weaknesses they face. A reminder here before the catcalls that Galatasaray were awful on Wednesday and this is what Arsenal do: invariably overcome the weaker teams but fall desperately short against those with more about them.

Wenger, which might also be French for "stubborn," temporarily lifted the pressure on him with May's FA Cup success, fittingly achieved by means of early concessions against Hull City. The Frenchman has at his disposal, via his own means because he makes the decisions, an unbalanced squad, one that is playmaker-heavy, too meek in the middle and threadbare in defence. Compared to Sunday's opponents Chelsea, doers of fine summer business, there is a clear line between pretenders and contenders.

If there is a glimmer of hope it is that Premier League leaders Chelsea could be without Diego Costa in their starting 11. The bulldozing Brazil-born Spaniard appears on a one-man mission to ensure Chelsea fans repress the horror of his compatriot Fernando Torres' time at the club. Costa already has eight goals to his name which is absurd, to be honest. However, amid concerns about his hamstring going snap under the strain of playing several games on the spin, his inclusion at Sporting Lisbon off the back of the Aston Villa win suggests he may well be missing this weekend, although the player himself seems sure he will feature.

Still, Mourinho boasts summer signing Loic Remy in his squad, a forward linked with Arsenal in the summer after he randomly turned up at Emirates Stadium to watch their match against West Brom in May. Costa's devastating impact has meant Remy's arrival from Queens Park Rangers is not fresh in the memory of most. Yet, considering his sniper-like finishing, one would imagine the France international has a part to play during Chelsea's hunt for the title this season.

Under pressure: Manchester United

Manchester United could be better off without Wayne Rooney © Getty Images

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Manchester United are finally playing a proper team. Everton, in spite of their unconvincing start, remain a dangerous proposition although the injury to Kevin Mirallas, added to Ross Barkley's absence, blunts them. Last weekend's 1-1 Merseyside derby draw demonstrated the Toffees are headed in a better direction, as they looked more organised and therefore without the gaping holes. Credit to John Stones for his performance in his preferred position of centre-back, too.

United, meanwhile, won at home against West Ham last Saturday, and that was all well and good, but they have not been truly convincing under manager Louis van Gaal. "Patience" and "trust" are the buzzwords at Old Trafford, though there must be apprehension prickling under the skin at what might happen when they face a team with the talent capable to truly exploit Manchester United's obvious failings. They'll face Everton without captain Wayne Rooney - do not be surprised to see United improve while the striker serves his suspension.

Finding form: Crystal Palace

How about that Neil Warnock, eh? With his polo shirt tucked into his tracksuit bottoms and unfashionably winning games despite having less of the possession, beam that Yorkshire grin he duly might in his postgame interviews. Few, if any, expected such a seamless transition following Tony Pulis' departure just before their first match of the 2014-15 season. Whether Warnock is solely benefiting from the fine work done by Pulis at the club only time will tell. For now, bring on Hull City (more on them below).

Statistically speaking (via @PCarrESPN)

- Chelsea host Arsenal on Sunday in a meeting of the league's only remaining undefeated teams. Chelsea defeated Arsenal 6-0 at Stamford Bridge in March, the largest margin of victory in the 108-year history of the series. That also matched Arsenal's worst loss under Wenger, and it marked the first time Chelsea had ever scored six goals in a game against Arsenal.

- Diego Costa leads the league with eight goals in six games. He ranks second in the league with 21 shots and first with 15 shots on goal, which means he's put an astounding 71% of his shots on target. That's the highest rate in the league and nearly double the average of 37% of shots on target by forwards. Costa does have a history of getting shots on target, doing so at a 49% average over the previous four La Liga seasons, third best in the league behind Karim Benzema and Pedro.

- Everton visit Old Trafford on Sunday, looking to continue their success against Manchester United. Last season Everton won 1-0 there in December, ending a 20-game league winless streak at Old Trafford. Everton then beat United 2-0 at Goodison Park in April, for their first league sweep in the series since the 1969-70 season.

- Everton can go undefeated in three straight league games versus United for the first time since a four-game stretch from 1988 to 1990. Everton haven't won three in a row against United since a three-game run from 1962 to 1963, including a Charity Shield victory. And Everton last won three straight league games against United in 1921.

- Liverpool's Mario Balotelli ranks third in the league with 20 shots thus far, but he hasn't done much else on the ball this season, with no assists and three chances created. Shots comprise 16% of Balotelli's touches, the highest rate in the Premier League among the 123 players with five or more shots.

Any other business: Sunderland and Hull

Are these two clubs invisible? They've won one game between them this season (Hull, if you're wondering), putting the pair firmly at the wrong end of the table during its tender age. But nobody is really talking about them or their managers. Is it because their football is forgettable? Sunderland have managed less than a goal a game, for goodness' sake. Gus Poyet is seemingly being given the benefit of the doubt for the time being after last season's inspirational run that avoided relegation, while Steve Bruce has the FA Cup final appearance to be grateful for - they've won five Premier League matches in 2014.

Steve Bruce's Hull have won only five Premier League matches in 2014 © Getty Images

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This article first appeared on ESPNFC.com

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