So today is here and hopefully it will provide a good end to a rather shite few weeks, the latest kick in the bollocks is the news that van Persie will be sitting on the sidelines for the rest of the season after the Dutch FA lied to us over the seriousness of his injury, van Persie is devastated, Wenger is livid and all in all, its not the best build up to our biggest game since we played Chelsea at Wembley in the FA Cup last season.

On that occasion we choked and we can’t afford for that to happen again, the front three have to snaffle any chance mustered against the Chelsea defence and start the massive defensive shift we are going to need to put in, Denilson would be my favorite to partner Alex Song in the middle of the park and offer more stability and a work ethic that Diaby, Nasri or Rosicky don’t have.

The defeat last week at Sunderland means that we have to win this one to stay in the title race, an 11 point deficit at the start of December wouldn’t be unassailable but you have to ask serious questions as to whether we are good enough to wipe out that points difference. I don’t know if being at the Grove is a good thing today, last season we went to Stamford Bridge and came from behind to win, we played at the Grove later on in the season and got our arses kicked, is that still going to be in the players minds?

We have to have William Gallas out there, the thought of Senderos or Silvestre against Didier Drogba fills me with dread and Gallas will be sweating spinal fluid to get his eye sorted for the game this afternoon, the lest back slot is one that is asking lots of questions too and I think either one of Sagna or Eboue will play there.

The isnt much more to say on this match, we’ve just gotta win it. Eduardo needs to fire, Arshavin is a big match player and needs to shine or some people are going to start getting a bit peeved with him, Song and Denilson have to bos the midfield for Fabregas to fire in the passes for the front three.

I’m excited but very nervous, losing doesn’t bare thinking about because however many goals we have scored, at the end of November the big L column would read 4 which isn’t title winning stuff.