Pedal to the Metal, Boys!

It's time, isn't it? Time for our guys to step up, play fearlessly, and walk away from Chelsea with their heads held high.  Walking away with three points wouldn't be too shabby either.  It's time to just go for it.  Playing cagey, stilted, cautiously, or half-heartedly will not dent this opponent even if they're having a dip in form.  They're looking to get back their confidence too.  We can't let them.  I say we take it to'em. 

Pedal to the metal.

What's that going to take?  We're going to need our offense to take more shots and pass less in the final third.  Make Cech work.  Be there for the second or third ball off the rebound and keep taking our chances.  Van der Sart got off easy in the Manure game.  We only took 11 shots and only 5 were on goal. That's not enough.  Let's also pressure them into conceding corners and see if our lousy record on converting those improve.  It's time, isn't it?

Our players up top are going to have to press and pressure on defense.  That means you Arshavin.  All the players have had two weeks off.  No international duty or Cups.  Everyone should be rested and ready to go.  Clichy will need help from Arshavin this week.  If he happens to toe a ball away from Anelka, Andrey, be there to double team and take the ball upfield.  Don't leave Gael to dawdle.  Sagna is going to battle Cole who likes to go forward and has delivered some nasty crosses leading to goals against us.  He needs to be shut down.  Malouda needs to be pushed out wide and nullified as well.  Sagna's side of the pitch, I think, is going to be very busy.

Pedal to the Metal boys

Song and Jack need to protect Cesc from Essien and shut down Lampard who is struggling to find form after being gone so long due to injury.  Let's not let Frankie get into the flow of things and start feeding The Beast known as Drogba.  He loves to score against us (13 for 13?) as we all know.  Cut off his supply and we won't leave our center backs so vulnerable.  Song - don't concede stupid fouls in their final third leading to free kicks and opportunities for Chelsea to score off headers.  Drogba and company are good at that as well.  Allow Jack to go forward and you stay back.

I'm not sure what forward is going to start today - Robin or Chamakh.  Wenger may play them both with RVP behind Maroune, but I don't think that formation has worked well so far.  Maybe Robin is pouting because he hasn't been first choice yet.  If I had to make the selection, I'd pick Robin because he's used to the physicality that Chelsea brings.  Chamakh has a great workrate, but is still adapting.  I think he would be easier to shut down.  Both need to take their chances. 

Shoot, shoot, shoot.
Run, run, run
Press, press, press

Pedal to the metal.

This tempo of game that I'm advocating means that we could tire - as well the old men of Stamford Bridge.  I'm hoping Wenger will look to substitute earlier than usual in the second half...espeically if Arshavin starts.  Bringing Theo on in the 60th minute or so will allow more time for him to make an impact.  Van Persie may tire as well.  Please don't wait until the 70th minute to make substitutions, Arsene.

Basically, I'm advocating for us to go all out.   For us to leave every ounce of sweat and guts on the pitch.  Take the handbrake off - it doesn't suit our style of play.  If we do that for the whole game, I think the fearlessness that we have been looking for from our players will be seen.  I mean, if you're playing at such a high tempo, how do you have time to remember you have a mental block?

Pedal to the Metal.

I really think we can do this playing our way.  If we start off cagey and cautious, I think it'll be over before it even starts.  We have a chance to accomplish a lot of things today.  We can earn three points and move back up the table ahead of Manchester City on goal differential and stay within two points of Manchester Untied.  We can continue building up our wins at the Emirates leaving behind a poor home record.  Most of all though, we can overcome the supposed mental block this team has in big games by ending Chelsea's dominant winning run against us.  I think the latter is the most important.

It's just time, isnt it.

So let's go you guys.  Pedal to the Metal.  You can do it.  COME ON YOU REDS!