This weekend’s Premier League clash with Arsenal presents more than just a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table, take three points from the Gunners and the poor man locked up at Premier League HQ can begin engraving the trophy.
A win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, as well as everything going their way elsewhere, could see Antonio Conte’s side move twelve points clear as they bear down on the title.
The Blues have, after this weekend, faced the majority of their toughest challenges en route to claiming the Premier League crown for the second time in third years, with away trips to Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool all out of the way.
Conversely, Saturday’s opponents Arsenal have a trip to Anfield and White Hart Lane to contend with, whilst both Manchester clubs are yet to visit The Emirates.
Furthermore, with just the FA Cup to contend with Conte’s side have a calm run in with the distraction of Champions League football something to worry about next season.
This weekend’s match suits the hosts to a tee. Conte has continued the winning Chelsea formula, developed by his Manchester United counterpart Jose Mourinho, of putting defence before anything else and using said defence as a platform to go forward and take three points.
With Arsenal coming to west London knowing that nothing less than a win will keep their title hopes alive, Arsene Wenger’s side will have to go out and chase the game.
The Blues will be more than happy to sit back and let the Gunners test and probe their defensive lines, before using their attacking approach against them to pick holes on the break, with Diego Costa ready to consign Arsenal’s hope of a first league title since 2004 to history with any chance he gets.
Whether or not Conte’s side could put together such a title push with the constraints of European football added into the mix is a debate for another day. However, even with a less cluttered fixture schedule, the turnaround in form and subsequent run which coincided with the former Italy manager’s tactical change will go down in Premier League folklore.
Win against the Gunners and, barring a string of injuries or an Eva Carneiro saga tribute act from Conte, there should be no real excuse for the Blues to ensure that the title returns to Stamford Bridge after last season’s debacle.
It may seem sensationalist and premature to consider the title done and dusted in February, however, the confidence in which that claim can be made is only further testament to just how impressive Chelsea have been this season. We think a 2-1 win to Chelsea looks like the right scoreline.