Chelsea about to lose title race advantage over Arsenal
Charlie Nicholas says the battle for the Premier League crown will become a 'level playing field' again after the latest round of Champions League fixtures.
Chelsea are about to lose their advantage in the Premier League title race, according to Charlie Nicholas.
The Blues have moved three points clear at the top of the table on the back of an eight-match winning run.
While their form has been imperious since switching to a 3-4-3 formation, the Stamford Bridge cause has been aided by a lack of European distractions.
Last seasons struggles have freed Chelsea from midweek continental competition, allowing them to focus purely on domestic matters.
That is not the case for fellow title hopefuls Arsenal and Manchester City, but they are about to see the playing field levelled again after the final round of fixtures in the Champions League group stage.
Nicholas believes that should work in the Gunners favour, with their attention about to be realigned heading into the hectic festive period.
He told Sky Sports: "Everyone is talking about Chelsea and the advantage of their lack of European football but after this game [against Basel on Tuesday] Arsenal don't have the Champions League until February now and there's a level playing field again."
Arsenal have already booked their place in the last 16 of Europes premier club competition, but can progress as group winners if results work in their favour on Tuesday.
Nicholas believes they will get the job done against Basel, but has warned that there can be no complacency from Arsene Wengers side against opposition that will view them as a big scalp.
Charlie Nicholas says the battle for the Premier League crown will become a 'level playing field' again after the latest round of Champions League fixtures.
Chelsea are about to lose their advantage in the Premier League title race, according to Charlie Nicholas.
The Blues have moved three points clear at the top of the table on the back of an eight-match winning run.
While their form has been imperious since switching to a 3-4-3 formation, the Stamford Bridge cause has been aided by a lack of European distractions.
Last seasons struggles have freed Chelsea from midweek continental competition, allowing them to focus purely on domestic matters.
That is not the case for fellow title hopefuls Arsenal and Manchester City, but they are about to see the playing field levelled again after the final round of fixtures in the Champions League group stage.
Nicholas believes that should work in the Gunners favour, with their attention about to be realigned heading into the hectic festive period.
He told Sky Sports: "Everyone is talking about Chelsea and the advantage of their lack of European football but after this game [against Basel on Tuesday] Arsenal don't have the Champions League until February now and there's a level playing field again."
Arsenal have already booked their place in the last 16 of Europes premier club competition, but can progress as group winners if results work in their favour on Tuesday.
Nicholas believes they will get the job done against Basel, but has warned that there can be no complacency from Arsene Wengers side against opposition that will view them as a big scalp.