Arsenal's recent record against Chelsea can help break Stamford Bridge hoodoo, says Arsene Wenger

Bad record: Wenger has won just once at Stamford Bridge since 2008
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James Olley15 September 2017

Arsene Wenger has insisted Arsenal’s recent successes against Chelsea can help them break their Stamford Bridge hoodoo on Sunday.

The Gunners have lost on their last five visits to Chelsea by a combined aggregate score of 15-2, with the latest instalment of that miserable run in February as Marcos Alonso, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas scored in a 3-1 defeat.

However, Wenger’s side won the reverse fixture at Emirates Stadium last September and went on to beat the Blues twice at Wembley, in the FA Cup Final and Community Shield.

Arsenal have won just once in SW6 since 2008, but Wenger told Standard Sport: “[That is] basically because in recent years Chelsea had a great team always and it was always difficult to win there.

“But our record against Chelsea recently has been good. We won here [at Emirates Stadium] last year, we won the FA Cup Final and on penalties in the Community Shield, so let’s just continue to focus on the quality of our game and not too much where we play.”

Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil will be assessed ahead of the trip across the capital, having been among a host of first-team players to sit out last night’s 3-1 Europa League win over Cologne as Wenger rotated his squad with Sunday’s trip in mind.

Official Arsenal Squad Photography 2017/18 - In pictures

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The Blues have had an extra two days to prepare, following Tuesday’s 6-0 Champions League win over group stage debutants Qarabag, but Wenger insists the quicker turnaround for Arsenal cannot be used as an excuse.

“Chelsea looked comfortable after 20 minutes, but that doesn’t bother me,” he said. “I think we need to focus on our performance and play our game. I believe in three days we can recover. Overall, that should not be a problem.”