Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK Government which has had massive ramifications for the football club and could see further negative effects on the club's current season despite the majority of focus on long term uncertainty.
Arsenal would be just two points behind Chelsea in the Premier League should they win their game in hand and still need to travel to Stamford Bridge before the end of the season. Despite the race thought only to be on the fourth spot, the possibility of a third-place finish might begin to enter Mikel Arteta's thoughts.
Yet debate rages of what will be the biggest impact on Chelsea come to the end of season run-in. The Arsenal Way approaches it from very much a rival perspective but still, there is a split in the opinion as to what will be the most damaging aspect for the Blues' possible plight.
Bailey Keogh - Arsenal Fan Brands Writer and Presenter
The biggest impact for Chelsea’s top-four hopes come the end of the season will certainly be the disconnect from their fans.
Chelsea are no longer allowed to sell tickets, which means only existing season ticket holders will be able to attend matches at Stamford Bridge.
This massively declines the number of fans allowed to attend the games with the number quoted at around 25,000 season ticket holders.
Arsenal will face Chelsea once more when their Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge is rescheduled, and with the game not being in a packed Stamford Bridge, the Gunners will fancy their chances.
Arteta’s side were victorious in an empty Stamford Bridge last season with a 1-0 victory after a fatal Jorginho mistake.
With the Gunners currently sitting five points with a game in hand behind Chelsea, the Blues could be leapfrogged if they lose that game which would certainly damage their top four security, and Chelsea still have to play West Ham at home, so without the fans against teams also fighting for top four, it could have a major impact in a bad way.
The Blues are notorious for being hard to beat at home which has been proven with their record under Mourinho as they went the longest time without a defeat at home, which is a record that is still present today. Not having a full Stamford Bridge will certainly be a massive miss for Chelsea and their hopes of securing a top-four place.
Tom Canton - Arsenal Fan Brands Writer and Presenter
The night that it was announced Roman Abramovich would be attempting to sell Chelsea Football Club, the Blues slumped to a 3-2 win over League One Luton Town in the FA Cup fifth round.
Chelsea travel to Norwich City in a Premier League match thought a formality. However, the news dropping this morning regarding Abramovich’s sanctioning and the uncertainty around the club is sure to be in the minds of the players.
Whilst the news of the club’s sale was put to bed fairly quickly, the latest impact on the club is much more severe and long-lasting. Stamford Bridge’s crowd will be less in number, away fans will not be present and Chelsea football shirts cannot be sold.
Not to mention the impending fate of player’s contracts, those terminating this season, next season and beyond. Players who perhaps were thinking of renewing their deals or leaving have had their world turned on its head.
Tonight, against the worst side in the Premier League, may not show the effects with the news still so fresh and uncertain, but Thomas Tuchel is sure to be questioned. The German reacted strongly when asked about the topic in previous interviews. For Arsenal, the hope will be that this does impact the Blues’ season giving another hope of a possible place in the top four.
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