Monday 27 April 2015 08:12, UK
Martin Keown believes Arsenal will adopt an attack-minded approach against Chelsea when the Premier League's top two meet on Sunday.
The Blues travel to the Emirates Stadium with a 10-point advantage over their north London rivals, who go into the game on the back of a nine-match winning streak which has seen them rise to second in the table and power into the FA Cup final for the second season running.
That run – in which they have recorded wins at Manchester City and Manchester United in addition to a 4-1 home victory over Liverpool – means Arsenal will be in confident mood.
Their former central defender Keown wants the Gunners to build on that and thinks they will play a front-foot strategy in the Sunday tea-time game, which is live on Sky Sports 1.
“Arsene Wenger hasn’t gone with two holding midfielders very often, he likes to be creative in that midfield area,” Keown - speaking on behalf of England team sponsor Vauxhall - told the Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ.
“That has actually been a little bit of a weakness for Chelsea this season. Cesc Fabregas has played that role for them and Nemanja Matic has done it.
“So it’s about getting the right balance in midfield. I think Arsenal will look to take the game to Chelsea and Chelsea will maybe use an extra midfield player in there.
“Jose Mourinho usually finds a tactic to stop the opposition from playing and Wenger tends to just go for it.”
Humbling
Arsenal have not beaten Chelsea since October 2011, when a Robin van Persie hat-trick paved the way for a 5-3 victory at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were 2-0 winners on their own ground when the sides met earlier this season and consigned Arsenal to a humbling 6-0 loss at the back end of last season - continuing Wenger's dismal record of never having beaten a side managed by Mourinho.
But Keown feels the gap between the teams has narrowed in the past few months.
“Chelsea have been a bogey team for Arsenal and I can’t remember the last time that they beat them,” said Keown.
“They will be worthy champions because they have a good balance to their team and Eden Hazard has been the stand-out player in the league this season.
“There is a freshness about Arsenal, and Chelsea will want to keep a foot on them because I feel they can be real challengers next season.
“There is much more belief among Arsenal this season, there is an internal competition and I think the Arsenal players can’t wait to take on Chelsea.”
Watch Arsenal v Chelsea live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday from 3.30pm on Sunday