Nigeria Content Online

Nigerian
midfielder John Obi Mikel expects a tough encounter when Chelsea take
on Arsenal on Sunday but hopes that, having ending their losing streak
against Marseille, the Blues can dispatch the Gunners.

Carlo Ancelotti’s
side defeated their French Ligue 1 opponents 2-0 in a UEFA Champions
League match on Tuesday night to end a run of two successive defeats.

Chelsea had lost
4-3 to Newcastle in the Carling Cup prior to last weekend’s 1-0 Premier
League loss to Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Mikel, who has been
impressive since the start of the season for Chelsea, hopes that
Tuesday’s victory will help the defending English champions return to
winning ways in the League – at

Stamford Bridge against Arsenal, who also won on Tuesday in Croatia against Partizan Belgrade.

“I am now looking
forward to the game against Arsenal,” Mikel said. “We both won so it
will be a great game on Sunday and hopefully we can take three points
from them.

“Marseille were a
good team. In the second half they showed us they can also play. But I
think we were always in control of the game and our Champions League
experience showed,” Mikel said, adding that “Sunday will be a different
game, especially as Arsenal keep the ball well.”

Exciting football

Arsenal are noted for their exciting brand of football that centres around ball possession.

But after enjoying
a five-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League, the Gunners were
brought back down to earth last weekend when they suffered a
humiliating 3-2 home defeat at the hands of promoted West Bromwich
Albion.

But Arsenal’s
Ivorian defender Emmanuel Eboue feels Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Partizan
Belgrade has put his side back on course ahead of Sunday’s visit to
Stamford Bridge.

“We started very well in the league, but last Saturday’s defeat was a big blow,” Eboue told skysports.com.

“But our spirit is strong, we came away from home in Europe and won 3-1.

“Our winning
mentality is back, and we really need that to meet Chelsea on Sunday,”
added the 27-year-old who nevertheless insists the Gunners have to be
in top form to stand a chance of winning on Sunday.

“They are a big and powerful team and are in good form, despite losing last weekend,” he said.

“If you are not strong and ready against them, they will overpower
and destroy you. So we will be ready against them, we are very
confident about that.”