Talk » waiting to come to fruition. So could

Stamford Bridge feels like home for Jose Mourinho, but Sunday will see the Manchester United boss take a seat in the away dugout for the first time in the Premier League.Mourinho is the most successful manager in Chelseas history, but his second spell with the Blues ended in ignominy. The Portuguese coach had lost just one of his first 97 home league games at Chelsea, but tasted defeat four times in his final eight matches during a tortuous run in 2015 that ended in his dismissal.And the now United manager has admitted that hes not looking forward to returning to his old stomping ground after losing that winning edge.When I played there with Inter (Milan), I had never lost a match at Stamford Bridge because I had that home record, said Mourinho, referring to a European game against Chelsea in 2010, which Joses Italian side won 1-0. Now Ive lost a few matches at the Bridge. Last season I lost two or three matches at the Bridge, so I cannot use the same words, because now Ive lost there.I knew that working in England and staying in the Premier League, that sooner or later I had to play against Chelsea and go to Stamford Bridge. The computer has decided it is to go now and here we go.Heading into the weekend, Mourinhos United (4-2-2) go into Sundays game two points behind their hosts after a solid yet unspectacular start under their new boss. But the Red Devils should have plenty of confidence after their 4-1 rout of Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday.Chelsea (5-1-2), in contrast, had midweek off, although manager Antonio Conte is not happy about having to look for positives from his teams lack of European action.I dont want this type of advantage, Conte said. This means you dont play in the Champions League or Europa League. I think Chelsea must play during the week (in) this type of tournament. Chelsea, this season, cant do this. This is not an advantage.Manchester United played (Thursday) and I watched the game. I saw maybe four players who will probably start on Sunday. When you have this possibility to play Champions League or Europa League, you can give the chance also to other players who every day in training work very hard.The Blues will be boosted by the return of captain, leader and legend John Terry, who has shaken off an ankle injury to be fully available for Sundays game. Fellow defenders Kurt Zouma and Branislav Ivanovic are both unavailable due to injury, but Conte will be reticent to rush back his captain into the injury depleted back-line because of a recent successful switch in system.Chelsea have racked up consecutive clean sheets (against Hull City and Leicester City) using a three-at-the-back of Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta either side of sweeper David Luiz. It will be fascinating to see whether Conte sticks with that system, which he has preferred for so much of his career, against an attack of the calibre of Uniteds.And if he does stick with the new shape, then where -- if at all -- does John Terry fit in? Terry lacks the pace to play in either of the wide roles, so David Luiz would presumably have to vacate the central role in which he has looked so assured.Its a selection dilemma without an obvious answer, but it isnt just the defence where Chelsea are short on options with Cesc Fabregas ruled out and Brazilian duo Willian and Oscar both doubts in midfield.Manchester United have concerns over the fitness of Chris Smalling, but Mourinho may be tempted to introduce Michael Carrick for a rare league start after the veteran excelled against Fenerbahce at the base of a midfield that has lacked a positionally-disciplined anchor.Avoid defeat and Chelsea would set a new unbeaten run against United of eight games.The Red Devils have lost more Premier League games (16) against the Stamford Bridge outfit than against any other club. Tony Esposito Jersey . 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After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week.Has Arsenals FA Cup defeat to Watford ended their hopes of success this season? What can Arsene Wenger do to ease the pressure that hangs over him? Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith surveys the scene at the Emirates... With Leicester and north London rivals Tottenham leading the charge for the Premier League title, the forecast at the Emirates Stadium looks bleak in the wake of Sundays shock cup exit.Whats more, the north Londoners face a daunting trip to European champions Barcelona on Wednesday as they bid to overturn a two-goal first leg deficit in their last-16 Champions League tie. With Wenger facing the most intense level criticism during his 20-year tenure, and ahead of the Gunners trip to the Camp Nou, we caught up with Sky Sports pundit Smith for his assessment of the state of affairs at his former club...What can Arsenal realistically achieve this season?Defeat at home to Watford saw Arsenal taste defeat in the FA Cup for the first time since 2013, dashing their hopes of becoming the first team since the 1880s to win it three years on the spin. Few, if any, give them any chance of navigating their European tie with Barca, but what can they achieve this season? The Gunners have to overturn Barcelonas two-goal first leg lead on Wednesday SMITH SAYS: Arsenal can still win the league. The 11-point gap is big but there are still nine games to go. There are plenty of points to play for but they cannot afford to drop any more. Of course they can still win it, but I dont think they will. They have got to give it their best shot and certainly have to play better than they have been of late. My mind turns to the Manchester United performance and the Watford defeat where the level dropped, they were better against Spurs but youd expect them to be up for a north London derby. They have got to pick things up quickly.Would ending the season with a bang appease the fans if silverware isnt won?The large majority of football fans up and down the country havent got a problem with their club losing games, so long as the passion and will to win is there for all to see. Arsenals performance levels in recent weeks have dipped below the high standards they should be reaching. So could fans salvage some pride from a string of better performances? Arsene Wengers side have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions SMITH SAYS: It would be easier for Arsenal fans to take, thats for sure. But if Leicester and, God forbid, Spurs win it they would question Arsene Wenger who has been talking about the financial gap all these years - paying off the stadium, Man City and Chelsea having bigger budgets. So for one of the others to go and win it makes his argument redundant and it would be really damaging. There would be a big swell of fans calling for him to go. If there was no reaction from here on in it would be hard for Wenger to stay.Would blooding the next crop of Arsenal youngsters ease the pain?Its a line that has been fed to Arsenal fans for years.dddddddddddd The promise of an exciting new era of success being nurtured in the clubs revered youth teams, waiting to come to fruition. So could a group of young guns breaking into the first team atone for the Gunners disappointing campaign? Would more youngsters following the likes of Hector Bellerin bring some cheer to the Emirates? SMITH SAYS: No. Arsenal fans have seen good young kids for the last 15 years, they want them to be a proper team. They want to see that steel and craft, the harder side of the game, to see out their title challenge. It is not about kids coming through, as nice as that is, its about ending a 12-year drought for the title.How can Wenger ease the pressure currently hanging over him?Arsene Wenger has won three Premier League titles and six FA Cups during a revolutionary spell at Highbury and the Emirates. However, recent results have acted as fuel to those who argue his legacy is now being tarnished. Starting with Wednesday trip to Barcelona, can anything be done by the Frenchman?