John Terry has challenged Chelsea to break their shackles and strike first in this weekend’s high-stakes London Derby against a flying Arsenal side.
Chelsea are the latest Premier League side tasked with ruining Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, with the Gunners set to travel to Stamford Bridge this Sunday.
A win would do Chelsea’s top four chances the world of good after seeing Manchester United open up a three-point gap and Liverpool are hot on the tail.
Interestingly, Paul Scholes thinks that Chelsea could avoid defeat with a 0-0 prediction.
And John Terry has told Chelsea how they can go one step better.
John Terry says Chelsea need to score first against Arsenal
Speaking on his official TikTok page, John Terry believes that gaps will start to appear in Arsenal’s defence if Chelsea can grab the first goal.
“So I think scoring the first goal for us this weekend is really important. That will force Arsenal to then come out and then gaps will appear. And we’ve seen that in more recent weeks at both home and away for Arsenal.
“Also, set plays, they’re fantastic at set plays as well. And the big one is that big long ball around the back post where they look for the second phase. So it’s not often the first phase pass that gets their goal, it’s the second phase as well.
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“So we need to be really aggressive from set plays, from corners especially, first phase, second phase, and make sure we’re as good as them in both boxes this weekend.
“But a tough game. We’ve shown all season that not only have we matched them, but actually been the better side on two separate occasions as well, both in the league and the cup game at home.
“So hopefully we can put on a really good performance again. I’m excited for this game and hopefully we can get the three points.”
John Terry assesses Chelsea’s situation ahead of Arsenal
As John Terry points out, it’s a vital part of Chelsea’s season as we head into a jam-packed March, with Champions League football and the FA Cup to come.
“We’ve got four or five really tough games coming up. This is really important for us to get the win and also get a really good performance.
“Now Arsenal are absolutely flying. I’ve said it all season. I think they’ve been the best team, but I think the emphasis is on Arsenal to come and win this game as well.
“Liam spoke about it recently in the cup game as well, staying in the game, I think it’s going to be really important for us this weekend.
“And this is no different for me. I think Arsenal are really strong when they’re ahead because they’re so good defensively and they’re really difficult to break down as well.
Terry has already added some spice to proceedings, by stating that the Chelsea Ashley Cole was better than the Arsenal Ashley Cole.
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