Chelsea
host Arsenal in a titanic Premier League clash on Saturday lunchtime, which
you can watch live on
Sky Sports 1.
Chelsea extended their lead at top of the league to nine points following
the midweek games, where they drew with Liverpool while Arsenal, who are 10
points off Chelsea, surprisingly lost 2-1 to Watford.
The Blues have won 15 of their last 17 Premier League games (D1 L1) but
Antonio Conte's men have struggled against top-four rivals this season -
winning only one of their five fixtures.
Their only three league defeats this season have come against Tottenham,
Liverpool and Arsenal, who completely outclassed Chelsea in the reverse
fixture at the Emirates Stadium in September, picking up a comprehensive 3-0
victory.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be in the stands for this important
encounter.
The 67-year-old Gunners boss is currently serving a four-match touchline
suspension after pushing fourth official Anthony Taylor in the 2-1 victory
over Burnley last month. The Frenchman has served two matches of his ban so
far.
Team news
Chelsea have no injury concerns ahead of Arsenal's visit.
Conte is unlikely to make many changes from the team which started Tuesday's
1-1 draw at Liverpool, although Pedro and Cesc Fabregas could be promoted
from the bench.
Branislav Ivanovic's nine-year stay with Chelsea ended earlier this week
when he moved to Zenit St Petersburg.
Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier
Giroud.
With midfielder Aaron Ramsey (calf) definitely out, manager Wenger will hope
Oxlade-Chamberlain can overcome a slight knee problem to take the Welshman's
place alongside Francis Coquelin.
Giroud also took a knock in Tuesday's defeat to Watford but is expected to
be fit, while Danny Welbeck should return to the squad after being rested.
Santi Cazorla (Achilles) and Granit Xhaka (suspended) are both out.
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Opta stats
Chelsea's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in September was their heaviest against them
since April 1997 (also 3-0). They were previously unbeaten in nine Premier
League games against Arsenal (W6 D3).
Arsenal have not done the double over Chelsea in the same season since
2003/04 - the season in which they last won the Premier League.
The last Chelsea manager to fail to win either of his first two league games
against the Gunners was Jose Mourinho in 2004/05, while the last Chelsea
boss to lose both was Glenn Hoddle in 1993/94.
Wenger has lost his last four league games at Stamford Bridge. The only away
ground where he's lost more in succession is Old Trafford (2009-2013).
The 3-0 loss to Arsenal in September was Conte's heaviest league defeat
since October 2010 when he was manager of Siena (0-3 vs Empoli).
Arsenal scored more goals in the first half against Chelsea in their last
Premier League meeting than they had in their previous nine clashes with the
Blues.
The Gunners have had three players sent off in their last three Premier
League games at Stamford Bridge (Gabriel, Santi Cazorla and Kieran Gibbs).
Theo Walcott was the last Arsenal player to score at Stamford Bridge, in
January 2013 in a 2-1 loss. He also scored in Arsenal's last Premier League
win there, 5-3 in October 2011.
Diego Costa has scored in two of his four league games against Arsenal and
has been booked in the other two.
The Gunners have won three of their four Premier League London derbies this
season (W3 D1 L0) - this after winning just one of their eight in 2015-16
(W1 D4 L3). They are the only team still unbeaten in London derbies this
season.
Chelsea have won eight successive Premier League home games - their best run
in the competition since a sequence of 10 wins that ended in January 2015.
The aggregate score in these eight games is 24-3 in Chelsea's favour.
Arsenal have lost as many of their last eight Premier League games as they
did in their previous 30 in the competition (3).
Merson's prediction
Arsenal were shocking on Tuesday against Watford and they won't be relishing
this trip to Stamford Bridge. It's a must-win game for Arsenal after their
defeat to the Hornets, and they have got to go for it against the best team
in the country. That will play into Chelsea's hands.
I just can't make a case for Arsenal here. Chelsea are running away with the
league and I think they'll claim a comprehensive victory.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
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