Things are not going all too well for Chelsea this season.
Despite their stroll-in-the-park 4-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League, a victory which may easily deceive fans as to how the Blues have been performing so far, their season has yet to pick up.
The reigning English Premier League champions, favorites at the beginning of the campaign to successfully defend their title, are 17th in the league, a spot above the relegation zone, and face questions over their ability to push for silverware this term.
With trigger-happy owner Roman Abramovich behind all of Chelsea’s affairs, job security is definitely a food for thought for under-fire manager Jose Mourinho, with belief that one more defeat at Stamford Bridge is enough to see the Portuguese boss get the axe.
The Blues’ next opponent will be Arsenal in Saturday’s highly-anticipated London derby, which will see the former Real Madrid tactician renew his bitter rivalry with French manager Arsene Wenger.
But will Le Prof be the man to get Mourinho sacked? Fresh off their disappointing 2-1 Champions League opening defeat, Wenger’s crew will travel to west London, but with belief that they can grab a win at Stamford Bridge.
Imagine, Chelsea lose to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge next week and Jose Mourinho gets sacked. The smile on Arsene Wenger's face.
— Arsenal News (@__arsenalnews_) September 13, 2015
The last time the Gunners claimed three points at Chelsea's ground was back in 2011, also the very last time Arsenal beat Chelsea in the league, when a Robin van Persie hat-trick guided the north London side to a thrilling 5-3 win.
Having finally brought an end to his winless streak against Mourinho, beating The Special One 1-0 in the 2015 Community Shield tie, Wenger can head into the weekend clash with confidence.
Wenger finally got the better of Mourinho in the 2015 Community Shield clash
Despite Wednesday’s disappointing result at Dinamo Zagreb, the Gunners are an in-form side in England. Currently in fourth spot (yes, we know, déjà vu), Arsenal have kept three clean sheets in their first five fixtures.
Once a team famed for their shaky, leaky back line, Arsenal now boasts the league’s second best defense, tied with Manchester United and second only to Manchester City, having conceded only three goals. Now compare that with Chelsea, the league’s worst defense, who have conceded a whopping 12 goals so far.
In addition to that, Arsenal retains a formidable away form, having won 7 and drawn 1 of their last 8 away Premier League fixtures.
Arsenal have won seven and drawn one of their last eight Premier League away matches. #cfc #afc
— Mourinholic (@Mourinholic) September 17, 2015
In fact, the Emirates Stadium side have amassed the most away points in all of England since January 1st, tied with fellow London club Crystal Palace, at 25 points.
Well despite not keeping a clean sheet this season, @CPFC have the joint-best away record in 2015. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/Vu3643AMkx
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) September 18, 2015
Several key players were rested ahead of the Stamford Bridge trip, including the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Hector Bellerin. However, one thing that should ring heavily in Wenger’s mind is his horrible away record vs Chelsea.
The FA Cup holders, in their last three away encounters with Chelsea, have let in 10 goals, whilst only finding the back of the net once.
Nonetheless, predicting the outcome of Saturday’s heavyweight clash will prove difficult. All that is known is Wenger should not be taken lightly, if Mourinho wishes to remain at Chelsea.
