Chelsea’s central defender Gary Cahill is adamant that his Chelsea teammates do not feel any form of jealousy about Arsenal’s league position, ahead of the London derby between the two at the Emirates stadium tonight.
Cahill believes his teammates are confident that they will be the one’s celebrating come the end of the Barclays Premier League campaign, if they can win the Prenmier League title under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.
Arsenal have been earning all the plaudits from the media and fans alike, following their emergance of surprise title candidates after topping the League at Christmas, after some superb performances, whilst Chelsea on the other hand, have failed to inspire many, after some unentertaining football at the Bridge, coupled with dropped points over recent weeks.
Both sides have been overtaken this week, following win’s for all the top sides, which see’s Arsenal drop to third, and Chelsea drop to fifth.
Cahill is confident that his side can improve as the season is progressing.
He stated to the London Evening Standard….
“If you ask most of the lads, while we get criticised, we’ll just tick along behind Arsenal as they get all the praise. Everyone will tell you that the period when you want to get noticed comes at the end of the season.
“I wouldn’t say I’m happy they’re getting all the praise, but they deserve it because they’re performing consistently well and doing terrific in the League at the moment.
“I have been impressed with them so far. A few people have expected them to slip up and saying they’ll blow up soon. They will take satisfaction from the fact they haven’t and come through many of the big games.
“But it’s a long season. We are on their tails and in a decent position. We just need to stay in touching distance at the top and be around to make a charge.”
Mourinho has the upper hand over Wenger, having never lost to his Arsenal counterpart, win’s against the Frenchman include a Carling Cup Final win in 2007, and a League Cup tie at The Emirates in October this year, were Juan Mata was on the scoresheet in the Cup tie.
Chelsea have struggled for consistency during his second spell in charge this term and come into the game having been beaten in the Capital One Cup Quarter Final by bottom club Sunderland.
Cahill is full of belief that the Premier League challenge will be a success and feels Arsenal’s failure to win a trophy since 2005 also gives them the edge over their London rivals.
He said: “Yes it does give us extra confidence. We have played in big games and been a part of winning trophies together. Our ability to perform in the big games is great, but we need to turn up every week.
“This will be a great fixture and it’s obviously going to be a six-point match. We need to keep getting the wins that matter. In terms of quality, we have it all in the squad.”
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
