Howe predicts classic encounter

By Don Howe
Former Arsenal boss and ex-England assistant coach

The battle between Henry and Terry will be a key contest

Sunday's match between Arsenal and Chelsea is going to be a cracker - and it's going to be close.

I think it will end up 1-0, and it could go either way.

If Chelsea were to win and open up an eight-point gap at the top of the table, I think you have to say that will be the Premiership title in the bag.

They are too good a team to lose two or three games and allow the others to catch them.

People say they will have a blip in their season, but you have to ask where?

Will they lose to Manchester United or Liverpool? I don't think so.

Remember, this time last year everybody said Arsenal would wobble, but they went through the entire season unbeaten.

Obviously, Chelsea can't match that feat after losing to Manchester City.

But Arsenal need to inflict a second league defeat on the Blues if they are going to open up the race to be champions.

The game could be fought out in midfield, where Arsenal are going to have play kids because of Patrick Vieira's suspension and the injuries to Edu and Gilberto Silva.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has a lot of faith in Francesc Fabregas and Matthieu Flamini, but are they the right players to face Chelsea?

Fabregas gets all over the pitch and he will be told to continue to do the things he is good at.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will tell Frank Lampard to do the same.

Robben has been outstanding for Chelsea in recent weeks

But if Lampard doesn't manage to make his trademark runs from deep and get in the box, Chelsea will suffer.

However, I think the Chelsea wingers will have a big impact.

Arjen Robben has been out of this world. He has fantastic pace, he gets into the box and he gets goals.

And Chelsea are also getting the best out of Damien Duff.

Having said that, at the other end, will John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho be able to cope with Thierry Henry or Robert Pires, who often appears able communicate telepathically with Henry?

There's also Jose Antonio Reyes, who has added to Arsenal's array of attacking talent.

And the tactical battle between Wenger and Mourinho will be fascinating.

Arsene does not get too caught up with the opposition, he prefers to concentrate on the strengths of his own team.

But I think Mourinho analyses the opposition quite a lot.

And I think he may get trapped into concentrating too much on trying to negate Henry and Reyes and Arsenal will be able to take the game to Chelsea.

For that reason, I fancy Arsenal to win.