Vermaelen - We can beat Chelsea

Defender insists Chelsea can be beaten at Stamford Bridge

Last updated: 6th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Vermaelen - We can beat Chelsea

Vermaelen: Bullish about Arsenal's chances

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Thomas Vermaelen is confident Arsenal can beat Premier League leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, despite recent setbacks which have left the Gunners trailing in the title race.

The Belgium centre-back was part of the Gunners side that was swept aside by Manchester United 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, but he remains upbeat about his team's chances of recovery.

"I think we can win there,' Vermaelen told the Daily Mail.

"If we have one of our good days and play as a team we can beat Chelsea. It is important for us to win. There's a gap again - not as big as before - but we have to win to stay in the race."

Drogba factor

If Arsene Wenger's side are to be successful at fortress Chelsea, Vermaelen will have to contain dangerman Didier Drogba, who has an excellent record against Arsenal.

The Ivory Coast international has scored 10 in 11 games against the Gunners and has never lost. In the reverse fixture at the Emirates, he scored twice in a 3-0 Chelsea win.

Vermaelen continued: "All the strikers in England are physical. I think Drogba is the most physical but there is more to him than that. He's one of the best in the world.

"He is so strong that you have to be careful. If you mark him too tight, he grabs you and he's gone.

"You have to adjust to the way he plays. If you are really convinced you can win the header, then you have to go for it.

"But sometimes he uses his body so well that when you jump, he can turn away and you've lost him.

"You have to be smart. Sometimes, let him control the ball and then mark him really tight."

Physical presence

One of the criticisms of Wenger's current side is that they lack the physical presence of their title rivals - Chelsea in particular - but Vermaelen is unconcerned about size and insists that technique is equally as important.

"I'm not that big but when I see some other centre halves they're not much bigger,' he added.

'If you have quick players who play quick passes, then you have nothing with your height."