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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s men will surely seek to exploit the set-piece situation when they meet league leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Blues have exposed their frailties in that area of discipline yet again with a 1-1 draw against lowly Hull midweek. Hull’s goal came off a corner kick.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said in a post match interview that the result against Hull “was a good result for us,…I’m not disappointed.”

What?

Not disappointed with a draw against 18th place Hull? Not disappointed with a draw against an inferior team that effectively stalled Chelsea’s progress toward the title? 

This is surely the mother of all spin controls.

Ancelotti acknowledges set-piece defense problems

While recognizing his team’s defensive shortcoming, however, Ancelotti also rationalized it away. “We know about it,” he said, referring to their recurring failure to defend effectively against the set piece. “Every team here in England has a very good jumper and a very good striker and it can happen that you concede a goal.” This may be true. One thing is clear, however. Chelsea cannot afford to give away points to teams like Hull City, and Ancelotti knows that well.

The draw left Chelsea more vulnerable to the predatory ambitions of everybody’s-arch-enemy Manchester United, who resoundingly beat Arsenal 3-1 at Emirates Stadium last weekend. Arsenal found themselves exposed against the Red Devils in a manner reminiscent of their first meeting with Chelsea this season, when the Blues thumped the Gunners 0-3 at Emirates Stadium.

Wenger realistic in defeat

Unlike Carlo Ancelotti, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was more realistic following his club’s defeat at the weekend. "It is a massive blow and a massive disappointment,'' Wenger said, "We need something special now to stay in the race, of course. I am conscious of that. But we have to recover, that is part of top-level football…We gave them always too much room, we were naive.” Good for you, Arsene! Spin control minimized.

Chelsea and Arsenal’s problems are compounded this weekend because on Saturday Manchester United take on league doormats Portsmouth at Old Trafford. Three points is never guaranteed, but Pompey isn’t likely to win the day at Old Trafford and so the Red Devils are likely to be league leaders by the time the two London rivals meet on Sunday. Perhaps Carlo Ancelotti wasn’t aware of the schedule when he proclaimed satisfaction with his team’s midweek result.

Chelsea will be glad that Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Jon Obi-Mikel have all returned from their African safari. Indeed it was Drogba who scored Chelsea’s equalizer against Hull midweek. Michael Essien, however, is still unavailable due to an injury suffered in training with the Ghana squad.

Arsenal’s strike force is weak at the moment. The long term injury to Robin van Persie means he won’t be available until April at the earliest. Croatian striker Eduardo, who was injured against Aston Villa two weeks ago, is still unavailable, nor is Mexican striker Carlos Vela. But Danish international striker Nicklas Bendtner has returned from injury and his 6’3” frame will be advantageous in set pieces and aerial deliveries. In defense midfielder Abou Diaby is a question mark for Sunday’s match.

Manchester United loom large in this fixture

Arsenal’s comprehensive defeat by Manchester United last weekend may not have been the final nail in the Gunner’s title hopes coffin, but the lid sure looks like a snug fit. The Gunners will be a squad with a point to prove on Sunday. And if Manchester United beat Portsmouth on Saturday, as is likely, they’ll topple Chelsea from the top spot, at least temporarily. This, and the media barrage Chelsea are currently facing due to John Terry’s personal life, may affect their focus, and could render the Blues vulnerable.

Despite his stated happiness with the result against Hull, Mr. Ancelotti may yet rue the two points squandered.

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