Benitez wary of Arsenal threat

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has warned his players they cannot afford any defensive lapses against Arsenal on Sunday

The Blues have won just once in the league at home under Benitez and were forced to settle for a draw against Southampton on Wednesday after throwing away a two-goal lead. Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge looking to close the gap on the top four and Benitez knows the Gunners pose a sizeable threat to his side.

Chelsea are 21.00 to win 3-2, and are 3.25 to keep a clean sheet. A 1-1 draw can be backed at 7.00.


We have to defend as a unit, as a team, be more compact and not give them any hope they can score.
Rafael Benitez
"The team are scoring a lot of goals, as we expect them to, but we have to manage this advantage in a better way," said the Spaniard.

"We have to be more clinical. We have to defend as a unit, as a team, be more compact and not give them any hope they can score."

Benitez is backing his side to recover quickly from Wednesday's disappointing result and is hoping to increase the gap between them and Arsenal, which currently stands at eight points.

"It's always important when you have a draw at home to have a big challenge ahead of you," he insisted.

"To have Arsenal is a very good thing for me and the players. They are a rival who are close to us. We have to use that as a positive.

"They are close (in the league) and if we win there'll be a big difference."

John Terry could make his first start since November, while Demba Ba is pushing to be selected up front ahead of Fernando Torres.

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