Arsene Wenger has promised a strong Arsenal response when they face Chelsea on Saturday after their Champions League humiliation against Dinamo Zagreb.
The Gunners boss feels that a trip to the Premier League champions and London rivals is the perfect opportunity to bounce back from such a painful defeat.
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But Arsenal’s recent record at Stamford Bridge suggests that it is exactly the type of fixture that they would want to avoid if their confidence has been shaken.
They have lost by an aggregate of 10-1 on their last three trips to Chelsea, including 6-0 and 2-0 defeats since Jose Mourinho’s return as Blues manager in 2013.
However, Arsene Wenger recently ending his famous hoodoo against the Special One – beating him at the 14th attempt to lift the Community Shield – could indicate a change in the tide.
The two rivals refused to shake hands after the final whistle at Wembley in May, and Wenger would not confirm whether or not he would embrace Mourinho this weekend.
He is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying on Friday: “I don’t want to talk about that. I have nothing more to say about this situation. All I worry about is our performance.”
Wenger did reveal that Petr Cech, rested for the 2-1 loss in Croatia on Wednesday, will replace David Ospina in goal and face the club which he served with distinction for a decade.
Boss: “It’s not easy going against your old club but @PetrCech has done this in the Community Shield.” #CFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/3lkf33Qhdb
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 18, 2015
Francis Coquelin is also expected to return at the expense of club captain Mikel Arteta in midfield, for a London derby in which victory would take Arsenal nine points clear of Chelsea.
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