We’ve heard enough of my views and your views. Ahead of the London derby this Sunday, I thought of getting our rival to talk to us. Spanish Fry, one of the leading Arsenal bloggers (runs the ArsenalFCBlog), talks to us on the how Arsenal and Chelsea are placed in the league and his thoughts about the big Sunday.
SF is being very honest when he says that Arsenal could just fall short in the end in the league. That’s exactly my feeling too. He predicts a 2-1 for the Sunday match. That’s what I too think but the other way round!
What happened to Arsenal this season? How did this transformation happen?
I’d put it down to three things; the signing of Bacary Sagna, the deployment of Mathieu Flamini in midfield and the general improvement of Fabregas, Hleb and Adebayor. Basically, the team are a year older and they know each other a little bit better and it’s showing on the pitch. Everyone has stepped up in Henry’s absence and there is a real togetherness in the squad. It’s great to watch.
Do you think Arsenal will go on to win the league title this season? If yes, who do you think would be No.2?
At the start of the season I firmly believed Arsenal would challenge, but most likely fall short. I still think Arsenal may not get there in the end but they’re making a good go of it. Chelsea will be in there as well while I feel Liverpool are still a little way off. Its very tight though.
What’s your feeling about how Chelsea has been progressing in premier league and Europe?
Chelsea are quietly going about their business. They have room for improvement and they will get better, but they need players like Drogba fit to be a threat. Chelsea’s big problem will be when the African Cup of Nations rolls around, it will be tough without Kalou, Drogba, Essien and Mikel.
Why do you think Arsenal has not been able to beat Chelsea for about 4 years now?
It’s pretty simple, for the past few seasons Chelsea has been better. Mourinho has had Wenger’s measure and tactically Arsenal have struggled.
We won’t have Essien and Drogba. How much of a relief is that for you?
It’s a big relief. Those two are massive players. Drogba seems to be a real barometer for how Chelsea perform. With him out things will be a lot tougher for you.
What have you planned for Ashley’s first ever return to Arsenal?
There may be a funny picture or two on the blog. We’ll have to wait and see. I’m sure the Arsenal fans in the stadium will have a thing or two to say regardless!
Who are the major threats from the Chelsea side for the Sunday match? And who should we be wary about?
Defensively Chelsea will be strong. Lampard is always dangerous and I think Kalou is an underrated player. As for Arsenal, a lot comes down to whether Hleb or Fabregas are fit. Van Persie had a good game midweek against Bucharest and Chelsea will fear him. He could be the key man.
What’s your prediction of the score on Sunday?
Again it comes down to players. A draw wouldn’t be the worst result, particularly if Manchester United drop points. But Arsenal are at home so I’ll go for 2-1.
Thanks to Spanish Fry for spending the time to respond to my questions. Goodluck SF. Convey our regards to your readers too!
42 Responses - Add your comment!
El partido contra Arsenal hay que ganarlo si o si porque ay que aprovechar que ellos pierdan a si chelsea se acerca mas a la punta de la tabla. Y que tambien Liverpool le gane e Manchester united a si tambien pierde y pasamos a los diablos rojos.
Shevchenko tiene que jugar todo el partido Grant :@
EY Blue Champions te paso mi MSN?
Bueno espero que los jugadores jueguenbien asi ganamosno como contra Valencia que perdimos muchas chances de abrir el marcador pero no se dio lamentablemente. Y que Milan pierda frete Boca
Boca vs Milan. Quien salra campeon de la copa del mundo? Espero que Boca.
Vamos Chelseaaaaa¡¡¡¡¡¡
Soy el namber uan de vuelta xD
Bye bye a todos los aficionados del chelsea que viven la intesidad del futbol a todo.
PD: Chelsea juega a las 16:00 hs pm?
Por el canal de mi casa lo pasan al partido, que felizidad que tengo en estas vacasiones
[...] Since running this blog I’ve struck up some good friendships with other bloggers and when BC came to me with a list of questions to answer in the build-up to Sunday’s game I couldn’t resist. It’s the first interview I’ve done since creating the Arsenal FC Blog and you you can read it via Blue Champions by clicking here. [...]
Niko , write in English , it might be bad English but NO PROBLEMO !
Spanish Fry , Why has Gallas this half skin-head, half Mohican hair-do ?
Why is Diarra not be used that often ?
If Arsey don win he Premiership this year, when do you think
they will ?
And do you know that your name ” Spanish Fry ” is dangerously
similar to ” Spanish Fly ” a notorious sex- enhancing drug
popular in the 70’s ?
Niko In English ! Amigo , Comprende ? No good English is NO Problemo !
Hasta La vista !
Online translation service of Niko’s comment @1
The party against Arsenal is necessary to gain it if or if because moan of that to make use that they lose to if chelsea it approaches more the top of the table. And that also Liverpool wins him and Manchester united to if also it loses and we happen to the red devils.
EY Did Blue Champions spend to you my MSN?
Good I hope that the players jueguenbien ganamosno like that as against Valency that we lost many chances of opening the scoreboard but it did not happen regrettably. And that Milan loses frete Mouth
Mouth vs Milan. Who salra
Sigh
Hey Niko
¿por favor use el inglés, no importa si esto es el inglés malo, es mejor que la traducción en línea, a propósito Vive Usted aquí?
And to Roman Abro : ?? – ???????
And to Roman Abro : ?? – ???????
Sorry I couldn’t paste Russian characters, so the muck up in the 2 postings above
But I try again :
To Roman Abro : Bbl HeroARN ( R & N are the other way around )
What are you on about? That’s got to be some kind of record for most amount of comments in a row. I’ll get on and talk football a little later with you all.
Hi Spanish Fry,
I wanted to know why arsenal fans are so pissed off with Ashley when ur present CAPTAIN Mr ‘Own Goal Threat’ Gallas left Chelsea for a better contract at Arsenal..
Gallas felt he was the superstar at Chelsea after back to back titles and he wanted a new improved contract in the range of 90k a week..Chelsea were ready only to offer around 70K
Gallas started making all sorts of noises just after the contract talks died down..Playing out of position..bad atmosphere..etc etc..n that choot threatened to score an own goal..what a b******.And after leaving the club, he had complaints about everything at chelsea.He never had any complaints about chelsea during the 4 years or so that he played at Chelsea:P
Arsenal took on Gallas for 80K a week..second only to Thierry Henry at that time..recently after Arsenal published their record profits n all, I read an article saying Asene Wenger’s contract was improved to 80k a week..n that ARSENE WENGER n WILLIAM GALLAS are the highest paid at the club at 80k a week
N Gallas played LB at arsenal for the first few months till he got injured..what a hypocrite..playing out of position it seems
Atleast Ashley Cole didnt behave so bad with u guys..He never once bad mouthed Arsenal after coming to Chelsea..He left because he was offered more money..TRUE..but Gallas is definetely worse
Anyway nice to see a decent fan in the chelsea blog..
Spanish Fry…If chelsea cant win the title, I would prefer that Arsenal wins it..Simply because ur fans are more cultured n decent than the United n Liverpool fans..
United n liverpool fans feel they are GODS of Football:P..According to them Chelsea, Arsenal etc are teams that cause a few waves once in a while n die out..THEY ARE FOREVER IT SEEMS:P
i agree with trueblueind….if Chelsea cant make it this season then arsenal should..
the Liverpool fans keep boasting of their history(thats only what they have got) and the manu fans of their treble…..but frankly speaking the arsenal fans really dont boast of their “invincibles” tag as often as others.
welcome Spanish fry. Chelsea fans accept fans of other clubs here as long as they maintain the dignity of this forum…..its great to have varied opinions out here. ….at the end of the day lets remember its football that winsssssss
Nice interview BC…and spanish fry,i would drop by at you blog to see whats good there…i do agree with you tha Van Persie would be a major threat for us…i was so sad when i saw him play during the mid week..he’s such a good player and i prefer if he was still injured till after this match…essien and drogba would surely be missed but we need to cope with their absence because they would be away for the Nations cup…i am not sure of the result but i hope my team wins and if we dont..its all good..
JoseHoliday@3,
You are too much!!!!!!! Spanish Fly???????? maybe that why Arsenal loves playing sexy football.
Ur Arsenil team will not win the title this year dude!!!!!!!!!!
I’m always intrigued at the sexy football they play against us!!!!
Thats cuz they never do…….they only do that against teams that play very open through the middle and spread the ball!!!!
We are more systematic and direct in our play……..
Thats caused Arsenil tonnes of problem over the last 3 seasons……
I cant see that changing now!!!
I suggest u teach ur boys to try and adapt….they wont play “Sexy football” against Chelsea….not even if they take an extra dose of some Spanish Fly!!
Here’s to a nil all stalemate on Sunday!!
Hope thats good enuf 4 u dude!!
If there is gonna be a winner I cant see it being Arsenil…..I’d be surprised if that happened!
Makelele is definitely gonna play in this one
Belleti Terry Alex Ashley(I’d prefer Bridge)
Makelele
Mikel Lampard
Cole(floating)
Kalou Sheva
I really think we should start this team………Piz should get a run after 65 mins 4 either Kalou or Sheva!!!
Dnt think I wanna see Wright Phillips 4 this game!!!
This is more like it!!!
Cant believe I left out our most important player….Cech
—————————–Cech————————————————-
Belleti———- —–Terry —–Alex ——————Ashley(I’d prefer Bridge)
————————–Makelele—————————
——————-Mikel———– Lampard—————-
————————Cole(floating)———————–
———————-Kalou——— Sheva——————
Not a bad formation at all, especially if mikel can be motivated to play like he did against westham and if he can curb his aggro.. Mr Grant is not so bold however and he would still play swp and leave out makele for Mikel to hold.
If that happens chelsea would lose to Arsenal for the first time in how many seasons now. If agentblue’s formation is played, maybe a draw. It’s hard for me to see chelsea win this without essien and Drogba.
The secret of chelsea’s victory apart from the tactical discipline and efficiency is also that chelsea players are vey strong and they just bully the arsenal boys off the ball.
Plus chelsea can’t be hurried into action. They play in slow mo, and since they can hold the ball as well as arsenal players, it becomes frustrarting
2 very strong men are out, and one 1 dwarf with a 10lb brain may start, it will not go well if this happens.
Spanish Fry Brought me here or I should say “spanish fly” he is certainly hoping in bed with the chelsea funs. Regarding Gallas. He is a loud mouth. At the start of the season he criticised Arsenal or I should say Wenger for not bringing big name players and lot of the gooners were not happy about it but Wenger is a genius he made him captain and all changed , now he is a hero already. Mourinho’s ego is too big. He didn’t know how to handle him. As for AshCash I have no comments he’ll get them at the Emirates. Chelsea will miss Drogba more than Essien or Mikel. He caused us a lot of problems last few sasons. At the same time we are missing Hleb and Fabregas so that fair for both teams. Lets hope we see a cracking game. with an Arsenal win of course.My home is Arsenalfc blog.
thx agent blue. hate arsenal. let them think they are good playing against slavia. chelsea will eat them for breakfast.
you can’t eat us for breakfast because you don’t have the stomach.You Hate Arsenal because they’ve been beating you for last 200 years Until the arrival of the Cash machine and won the title after 50 years. Show some respect.
I am from the Arsenal blog with Spanish Fry and Le Gunner, It will be a fantastic game. And I am very glad that Drogba and Essien are missing, with them 2 in your Chelsea i would not be as confident. I belive a 2-1 win for Arsenal is possible because we are at home and we have Van Persie back. We may also have hleb, fabregas and flamini back and I know you Chelsea fans probably hate them players but you have to admit they are dangerous to play agaisnt. I think its simple if Fabregas plays we will win, if he dont we will draw or lose. Unless Van Persie is having a good day. Good luck for the weekend though.
I have been a lover of the game of football all my life.
And really thought the premiership was going to stop being its boring self at the turn of the century.
I can still remember watching the Champions league match involving Man Utd and FC Porto and when they (FC Porto) scored Mouriniho ran and down the pitch and celebrated like a maniac (an offensive term for somebody who behaves in such an uncontrolled manner as to appear to be affected by mania)
And I thought to myself this European Coach like so many others that I’ve seen has no class, just look at him celebrating a goal. I’ve now later learnt that the manager celebrating a goal like an idiot is something BlueChampion loves and some other people on this blog.
Then the Premiership began to get exciting with three new managers and their were five top managers: Mouriniho (Chelsea), Ferguson (Man Utd) A Wenger (Arsenal) R Benitez (L’Pool) J Sannetti (Spurs) and I was so excited to watch Premiership games during the week and at the weekend.
I can still remember the opening day when Arseanl embarassed Everton by four goals to nil at Goodison Park, and then the big game Chelsea vs Man Utd I think at Stamford Bridge and Roy Keane was playing as a centre-back, I don’t understand why don’t the managers get a proper centre-back from the reserve team instead of puting midfield players in defense, we saw it didn’t work with Man Utd and then Mouriniho puts Essien at centre-back which pisses me off.
I can still remember Jose Mouriniho with that hair-style looking so bad and that silly tie that was to big for him. Wait I should go back to that Champions League final ‘04 after Mouriniho celebrating for a short while was asked by a member of the press if he was going to Chelsea and he (J Mouriniho) played it so cool by saying that you should ask the people at Chelsea whether I’m coming, Mouriniho didn’t look like a former school -teacher, but an old Pro.
I wasn’t so impressed with Mouriniho with him going on about being the self appointed “special one”. But after Mouriniho delivered the Premiership and in the style that Chelsea won the league I mean all those clean sheets and watching the defense do their job and the midfield and attack doing their job, not like watching these days when defenders are running from the half-way line trying to score goals, apart from corners though because theoretically the CB’s are the strongest men on the field and so should be at corners.
So from about 2005 I was begining to like Mr. Mouriniho and the two people, I can remember him saying that he will bring Ricardo Carvaliho and Poalo Ferrera who I think are truly to good players and if Carvaliho would have been playing for Real Madrid he would have been more repected and would probably have become a legend, thanks for the brilliant defending over the years Carvaliho you have been simply brilliant.
I’ll never forget that 3-0 hiding at Old Trafford, that was simply brilliant.
Now, that Mouriniho left Stamford Bridge which was much earlier than any of us would have expected since he brought so much success and prestige to Chelsea.
I really didn’t bother to watch Chelsea but only to watch to keep up with the comments on this blog, so I would know if people like footballguy or Joeblue
speaking I don’t know what or where they come about with their train of thought.
I don’t really feel like watching football anymore, I just don’t find football all that exciting anymore, its almost feels like a chore to go and watch a football match. It has nothing to do with Mouriniho not being at Chelsea anymore, because obviously the game’s bigger than him, but football just seems boring to me now.
All Chelsea fans on this blog can you answer my question. Who do you like more Jose Mourinho or Avram Grant?
No more watching football for me anymore!
Football is to boring?
I prefer playing manager mode on FIFA 07 I am still competing the 15 yrs manager mode. I ‘ve played FIFA 08 recently against a mate and found it to be qutie good, realistic though unlike Pro Evolution where they make it unbelievable difficult to score.
I prefer going to parties, instead of watching football.
I went to a party the other night and it blew my mind, it was brilliant.
Another reason thats putting me off football, is the comments that we should waste money on people like Nicholas Anelka for example.
But I’ll still visit this site though, because it is very good, eterntaining and I enjoy this site going from strenghen to stregthen its brilliant watching the evolution of the creator BlueChampion.
Finally people, all we need to do is just get 26 ELITE PLAYERS, and become very diciplined and we will win matches and become successful in our dreams to become the biggest club on teh planet. This strategy works in real life because I’ve played football myself on an ameteur level, this theory works because I’ve applied this theory with manager mode on FIFA 07 and my teenage brother who happens to currently play the game, his team won his age group in the junior ranks by just picking and playing a brilliant squad who is firstly diciplined and secondly giving 100%.
You don’t have neccesarily be born with the talent but just give a good go at it and you’ll be successful.
Oh, and the other night I said that Chelsea players were’nt as professional in season 1 under Jose Mouriniho.
What I meant Adonis, is that Chelsea aren’t as” dominant ” on the pitch as the first season under J. Mouriniho which is another reason why I don’t bother watching Chelsea anymore and this syndrome started last season.
@Jay # 25
Its still too early to ask that question.
Because Avram’s only been here for a while and J.Mouriniho had a couple of seasons under his belt.
But because you’re asking this question so early we can only say Mouriniho, you can’t ask a question like that?
Jay:
All of us though belief that J. Mouriniho is better than Wenger!
Ha ha ha
But plenty of people will disagree with you there Michael Mariens. Wenger is a top class manager and was linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona, the only reason Jose was successful in my eyes was because he had a big bank balance whereas Wenger has never spent a lot on 1 player. He makes players. If you ask non-arsenal and non-chelsea fans who the best manager is i guarantee they will say Wenger over Mourinho.
he won the champions leauge with porto. i havnt seen wenger bringing in a happy team back from the CL. give arsenal 2 years and they will get bether. the team they have now couldnt beat chelsea if chelsea was 2 men down. when chelsea wins i come to your blog and write som sh.t.
Why would you write on my blog about that? You seem to be a bit of angry fellow there BlueFan… I’ll let you stew in peace.
Going waaaaay back to TrueBlueInd’s comment about Gallas v Cole…
Gallas’ comments were never confirmed. They were speculation. Cole wrote his in a book. I really don’t think Gallas would have scored an own goal or even threatened it… Cole has bad-mouthed Arsenal since he left too.
Gallas is not perfect, he has a habit of talking too much but apart from that he seems like a good guy. Nothing that he’s done suggest that he would make such ridiculous comments when he was at Chelsea so quite frankly I don’t believe the rumours.
We the SEXY Chelsea team led by Mr Ordinary
will smash the Aresy globetrotters
if not then it’s 0-0
O how we miss Drogs
About Drogba,
in these kind of games such as MAn-Liv or Ars-Chel , wings or CM mostly score so I am not worried about Drogba ,
I remember when Crespo was in chelsea, he did not score that many , but he scored a beautiful goal versus Arsenal , u never know maybe it is Sheva’s turn.
I don’t think strikers score in these games,
for Liv –> Gerrard or Kyut(Wing)
Man –> Ronaldo , Giggs or Nani
Arsenal –> Febregus
Chel –> J Cole, SWP , Lampard, or Kalou
by the way , Wenger is not that big that people think .
Fergusen is not either, these guys were successful only with one club , i am sure they won’t be successful in other clubs.
if you ask me to tell you the best coaches I would go for
1- Terapatoni
2- Lippi
3- Cappelo
4- Boby Robson
Its a difficult game as we do not yet know what team are we going to play gainst with all the speculations around. i think wenger will play fabregas and hleb as they have been the reason of their recent succes esp hleb who till last season never ever hit the target has found form of his life.
their midfield was no where against boro and thats why they lost. They never seem like scoring may be because of their hectic schedule took a toll of the young legs and thats why i dont see them winning premiership.
ill put alex behind adebayour and kick him when ever a long ball comes to him. Arsenal already knows how dangerous alex is on corners when he knocked them out of the CL last season but i hope he doesnt score a own goal like last time.
We can definitely beat arsenal at the emirates and thats what the men in blue should have belief. Last season when we lost the title we were a goal down and boula red carded and with 10 men we showed them what game we can play. show the boys the match again and tell them what they can do.. esp bridge and kalou and ferrera.
We are coming to conquer the emirates. be afraid… be very afraid
KTBFFH!!
Maysam@34
Drogs draws defenders away that’s why others can score ! At least two !
it will be nice seeing arsenal loose at home. man to watch in this game is lampard. i havnt really been at top this season but he will give all to win. mikel and joe cole are going to play very good aswell. i hope sheva understands that this is his time to show how good he is. if he doesnt play well this game i hope he leaves.
If Arsenal are at full strength, meaning that not only Fab, Hleb and the Flamster are available but fit and ready to make an impact, I think Arsenal will win this one.
Otherwise a draw would be the most likely outcome. Without Drogba Chelsea have only Lampard going forward and thus far he really hasn’t had a particularly good season. Oh, and you’re missing Essien.
JoseHoliday : I agree with you in this point.
There you go, it wasn’t 2-1 but 1-0 was pretty close to the mark. Cheers to everyone for your comments on this topic, I really enjoyed doing the interview.
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