Chelsea face an Arsenal team out of form away from the Emirates
After back-to-back wins against Bournemouth and FC Cologne, the mood has improved at Arsenal. But a trip to face Antonio Conte’s side will be the “acid test”.
The Gunners have lost each of their last six visits to Stamford Bridge and Wenger has admitted to his side suffering a “problem of confidence” since the end of last year when it comes to games on their travels.
Now he has declared enough is enough.
“Last year, until we lost at Everton, we had not lost away from home for nearly a year,” said Wenger. “After that, we lost at Man City, that’s true – that it gave us a problem of confidence away from home.
“But I don’t really believe in that. The pitch is 105m long and 68m wide everywhere. Never in my life I could accept or understand that it’s different away from home.
“It’s just a question of how much you want it. It’s about football. It’s a good opportunity to show that and that we have that quality.”
After we lost at Man City it gave us a problem of confidence away from home
Arsene Wenger
Since that defeat at Goodison on December 13, Arsenal have picked up just 13 points from their 14 away games. Over the same period, Chelsea have racked up 32 points on their travels.
After lacklustre defeats at Stoke and Liverpool already this season, if the Gunners lose again on Sunday it would mean starting a campaign with three successive away losses for the first time since 1954.
More specifically, it is the fact that Arsenal have won just three of their last 26 away games against the so-called ‘Big Six’.
“Is this an acid test? Yes, of course,” Wenger said. “I also believe it was important to win the game before, important to beat Bournemouth, important to go into big games like that. It’s important you know you can win.
“Nobody would deny that. If you calculate the positions in the top four then of course it will be decided by your results against your direct opponents.”
On a positive note, Arsenal learned they had been all but exonerated by UEFA after the kick-off against Cologne on Thursday night was delayed by an hour after crowd safety issues.
FC Koln fans sing to taunt Arsenal fans in home end
GETTY
Alexis Sanchez starred on his return against Cologne
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The German club, who brought an estimated 20,000 fans to London despite getting an official allocation of 3,000, were charged with crowd disturbances, setting off fireworks, throwing objects and causing acts of damage.
Arsenal will be reprimanded because stairways were blocked in the away supporters sector.
Nevertheless, the club yesterday announced an internal investigation and vowed to cancel the membership of supporters found to have sold tickets to touts which ended up in German hands.
Rumours that Cologne fans had gained access to the home areas simply by buying Red Membership cards were vigorously denied, with Arsenal adamant that no tickets were sold officially to anybody who registered after the draw last month.
A statement said: “Any tickets found that have been sold or purchased illegally will be traced back to the original purchaser who will have their membership cancelled and the appropriate action taken.”
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Eden Hazard could return for the Blues after coming on against Qarabag
The late-night finish will have done little to help preparations for tomorrow, but even though Chelsea were done and dusted with their own European travails on Tuesday, manager Antonio Conte is still carrying the after-effects.
“I have a sore throat, but I hope to solve this situation...otherwise, it will be a problem for me!” he rasped. “From yesterday, I took antibiotics, also today and tomorrow.
“In this case, I think the air conditioner was stronger than my Italian throat sweets. In my office when I arrive I close the air condition. But when you stay on the bus, I risk a lot, because I suffer from air conditioning.”
An animated figure on the touchline, at least Conte’s players will be relieved if they are spared an ear-bashing tomorrow. “I’d prefer to recover,” he said.
