Benitez: Arsenal a different kind of opponent for Chelsea

18 Jan 2013 16:30:00

The Spaniard believes the negative tactics of visiting teams have stifled his side at Stamford Bridge, but believes the expansive Gunners will take a different approach

Rafa Benitez believes Arsenal's attacking intentions will work in Chelsea's favour when the two sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Southampton means the Blues are still winless at home in 2013, but have won seven of their eight matches on the road under the Spaniard.

Benitez admits the negative tactics of opposition teams have frustrated his side in recent weeks, but believes there will be no such problems against the expansive Gunners.

"The main thing is to keep calm, keep pushing and trying to go forward in the right way, and then we won't give any help to the other teams," he told reporters.

"Arsenal are a top team, but they won't be 11 men behind the ball on the edge of the box waiting. It's a different kind of game."

Benitez concedes Chelsea lost control of their match against the Saints, and admits they are still looking to find the right balance between defence and attack.

"We could have killed the game if we'd scored a third," he added. "It's a question of the tactics of other teams, if they're deep or not.

"At the end of the game, we were attacking, attacking and gave them two or three chances to counter. That's something you have to manage.

"If you play at home or away and want to win, you'll have the same approach: press high and attack, but you have to keep a balance. We didn't. That was the problem at the end."

At the final whistle Benitez was once again booed by a large number of Chelsea supporters, but he insists taking the scalp of a major London rival will help quell the disquiet.

"The main thing is we have to do our best from the beginning," he continued. "If we score they will enjoy it.

"We have to do our job and they will follow the team. We have to win together. Hopefully we can start against Arsenal."