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Arsenal v Chelsea: 5 talking points

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Eden Hazard of Chelsea on the shoulders of Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Eden Hazard of Chelsea on the shoulders of Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Eden Hazard of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Eden Hazard of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

5. Can Arsenal handle Eden Hazard?

Last season Eden Hazard wasn’t a player that Arsenal needed to worry about. Unfortunately for the Gunners, he’s found his form this year and is firing on all cylinders.

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That means he’ll be a major focus of the Arsenal defensive game plan prior to this match. In particular, Hector Bellerin will need to pay close attention to the Belgian ace. He’ll be matched up with him down the wing early and often.

On his day, Bellerin is capable of holding his own against Hazard. Unfortunately for Arsenal, he hasn’t started the year playing his best football. He needs to pick up the pace on Saturday if he doesn’t want to let Hazard get on the score sheet.

As usual, the best way to keep Hazard silent, is to force him to defend for long stretches. Arsenal will certainly try to win the possession battle. If they can, Bellerin will have a chance to win the battle against Hazard.

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