THERE is a funny picture online which shows Man U fans carrying a coffin labelled Arsenal. Such talk is premature but a defeat to Chelsea will diminish Arsenal hopes for this season.

They face Liverpool after Chelsea so the next week is crucial for Wenger.

The issue still remains Arsenal’s lack of size and strength, last time Chelsea bullied them off the park, Man U did the same, as did Stoke or any team that beats Arsenal.

Chelsea stuttered mid-week and drew with Hull but will raise their game. The John Terry scandal has not affected team morale; he had an affair with the girlfriend of Wayne Bridge while being voted "Father of the Year.”

What matters is on the pitch and one has to favour Chelsea, they have 3 Africans back and Drogba will give them a boost. Chelsea can match Arsenal for fitness but surpass them in strength.

The Arsenal Ferrari gets stuck in the mud and becomes powerless; Chelsea will pack the midfield to stop Arsenal from passing and moving.

When Arsenal has their mobility restricted they cannot match the power of their opponents. Wenger was wrong to drop Diaby in favour of the diminutive Denilson, Arsenal were swamped by Man U on the counter.

Diaby and Song is the best central partnership to match the Chelsea power.

Anelka and Malouda played well to replace the missing CAN players and they will be crucial in providing support for The Drog. Obi Mikel becomes a crucial player in such games, he was wrongly used as a playmaker at CAN but as a holding player he will stop Fabregas.

The full-backs for Chelsea will be crucial; Bosingwa has been missed because Ivanovic doesn’t have his drive.

Ashley Cole is consistently one of Chelsea’s best players, tireless on the wings and driving forward. Gael Clichy got the fright of his life against Nani who terrorised him last week; Chelsea will not have the same direct threat as Nani.

It is crucial that the Arsenal full-backs deal with the alternating threat of Anelka and Malouda. The key is still the centre, matching Chelsea man for man and then creating a pocket for Fabregas to pass in.

For Chelsea it is to stifle Arsenal then hit them on set-pieces. When they have tired Arsenal out they will start to spray the ball around but only after taking the lead.

3-0 to Chelsea is my prediction, Arsenal lack a killer striker and strength on the ball. Wenger love of midgets has to stop; he needs some Vieiras to intimidate players.

Ends