Carlo Ancelotti: Arsenal Game Is Must-Win

Next two games are very important says Blues boss

Dec 24, 2010 6:34:00 PM

By Omar Shahid

More On :  Arsenal, Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti
EPL: Carlo Ancelotti, Tottenham-Chelsea (Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is expecting a Christmas special when his side take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, but said that a win would be meaningless if his team was to lose against Bolton two days later.

Ancelotti’s team have comfortably come out victorious in their last two encounters at the Emirates, but admits that this won't necessarily give them an advantage going into Monday’s game.

''I don't know if this is an advantage,' Ancelotti told Chelsea's official website. ''Arsenal knows very well our skills and ability, and we also know their ability, their skills.

''Obviously we want to try the same game we played against them and reach the same result.

''Arsenal has fantastic ability to play fantastic football, maybe they concede something defensively and we have to use our ability to find the right space to create difficulties in their defensive line.''

Chelsea have suffered had a bad spell as late and the manager is eager to put things right, starting with the match at Arsenal.

''It is an important game obviously because both teams are involved in the fight for the title. Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham has the opportunity and skill to fight for the title until the end. I think it will be a race with balance because a lot of teams have the possibility to win, not just Chelsea and Man United.''

Chelsea host Bolton two days later in an encounter that Ancelotti believes will be just as crucial.

''I don't want to say that the game against Arsenal is more important than Bolton, it is the same,' Ancelotti explained. 'We have to do the best to take three points. It is a very important period. I think we used well these 15 days to train and I have confidence that my team moved on from a difficult moment. Manchester United are having fantastic results. They didn't lose a game so they are able to obtain results continuously. We don't want this gap increasing, so it is important to obtain a result.''

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