EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal Legend Nigel Winterburn Names Five Things The Gunners Must Do To Beat Chelsea
Former left-back assesses battle at the Bridge...
By Wayne Veysey
Sep 30, 2010 2:53:00 PM
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Nigel Winterburn of Arsenal(Getty Images)
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Arsenal travel to
Chelsea on Sunday in the knowledge that their poor form against the top sides may well have cost them a genuine shot at the
Premier League title last season.
Arsene Wenger's side lost all four of their matches against Chelsea and Manchester United, conceding 14 goals in the process, with Didier Drogba continuing to be the biggest thorn in their side. Arsenal's nemesis has scored 12 goals in his last ten appearances against the Gunners.
Questions have once again been raised about Arsenal's title credentials after a blistering start to the season was checked by a humbling 3-2 home defeat by West Brom last weekend. The result gave Wenger much to ponder - and now he is plotting his response.
Nigel Winterburn knows a thing or two about what he takes to succeed in an Arsenal shirt, having been part of the club's great 1990 defence alongside Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon and goalkeeper David Seaman.
Speaking exclusively to
Goal.com, the former left-back gives his thoughts on how the north London side can prove they have what it takes – in body and mind – to become champions:
1. Show some backbone
Playing for a great club like Arsenal is an honour that shouldn't be taken lightly. The players would have hurt last weekend and there is no better way to make up for it than by beating the title holders on their own ground.
There is a tradition that comes with playing for Arsenal and that always drove me on to play my very best. The like of Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Lee Dixon were winners who knew what it meant to play for the club, knew what it took to be successful. That spirit continued through the likes of Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.
The current squad is young and inexperienced but they need to roll up their sleeves and show they understand how privileged they are to play at the Emirates, just like we were to play at Highbury. Chelsea are a big, physical team and Arsenal will have to compensate for that with their hearts and their heads. I'm backing them to come of age on Sunday.
2. Deal with Drogba
It's easier said than done because Drogba can be an absolute monster when he's up for it. Arsenal have started the season really well but the questions will always be raised when they come up against the best sides and the best players. Drogba seems to score for fun against them and it doesn't matter what defenders he is playing against. It's funny how certain striker can take a liking to playing against a club, even if the personnel change completely.
The key is to contain him and I'm sure Arsene [Wenger] would have taken note of how Manchester City kept him quiet. Vincent Kompany stuck to him like glue and Drogba didn't fancy it. That's what Arsenal need to do – make his head go down and don't give him an inch. Drogba probably thinks he can bully the Arsenal defence so [Laurent] Koscielny [Sebastien] Squillaci have got to be on their toes from the first whistle.
3. Stick Fabianski in goal
I have nothing but sympathy for goalkeepers, it's a lonely place out on the pitch when it's not going your way. Manuel Almunia must have wanted the ground to open up last week [in the 3-2 loss to West Brom] and he will know that the fans are on his case again. He's injured at the moment but he may need to be taken out of the firing line anyway.
It would be a huge game for [Lukasz] Fabianski to play but maybe it will also be a defining one. He's made his fair share of mistakes – and I remember one against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final – but Arsene obviously thinks he's got the ability. Apparently he's like superman in training so he needs to improve the mental side of his game and produce when it really counts on the big stage.
Both goalkeepers have until January to show Arsene why he shouldn't buy another goalkeeper when the transfer window re-opens. It's up to them now.
4. Get crosses in to Chamakh
Let's be honest - nobody should be trying to change the way Arsenal play football. They are the best team to watch in the country and when they pass and move it's a joy. But now they have the option of using the width of the pitch and Marouane Chamakh looks like he can offer a great threat in the air. I've been really impressed by his bravery and the way he attacks the ball – I think it's going to get him a lot of goals in an Arsenal shirt.
Chelsea have some big strong boys at the back, but when Arsenal get in good positions in wide areas, they should not be afraid to play a 50-50 ball into the box for the big man to attack. Chamakh could give John Terry a difficult afternoon if he uses his size properly – which I'm not sure he does.
5. Win the battle of the full-backs
The full-backs are not only vital defensively, but in the modern 4-5-1 formation teams are playing they can also be the most important attacking players on the pitch as they are often the free men. Ashley Cole is obviously going to be a danger so Bacary Sagna will have to be on his guard defensively, especially if Cole and Malouda double up down the Chelsea left.
[Gael] Clichy's patchy form has been a worry for a while now and he needs to show his credentials while playing on the same pitch as Cole and prove he should be considered one of the best left-backs in the world.
I think Sagna and Clichy are an excellent full-back pairing and both have great attacking qualities. Arsenal should use them on the counter-attack at Stamford Bridge – although I don't expect either to match the 35-yarder I once scored at Stamford Bridge!