Goal.com - Home

thumbnail Hello,
 
Played
January 21, 2013 12:30 AM EST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee:‬ M. Atkinson‎
Attendance:‬ 41784‎
 
6′ Juan Mata
Theo Walcott 58′
16′ (PG) Frank Lampard
 

Chelsea - Arsenal Preview: Benitez's side looking to halt Stamford Bridge woes

The Blues have been horribly out of form at home recently, and take on a Gunners team that will be eager to close the gap on their rivals for a Champions League spot

By Ewan Roberts

More On :  Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Chelsea FC vs Arsenal FC
EPL; Fernando Torres; John Terry; Arsenal v Chelsea
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA

Cech
Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole
Ramires, Lampard
Oscar, Mata, Hazard
Ba
ARSENAL

Szczesny
Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs
Wilshere, Diaby
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski
Walcott

Chelsea have an almost fully fit squad to choose from, with Oriol Romeu (knee) the only long-term absentee. John Terry has returned to fitness but is unlikely to start.

Nigerian duo Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel have both travelled to South Africa for the Africa Cup of Nations so are unavailable for selection.

Branislav Ivanovic was rested against Southampton but should return to the starting XI in place of Gary Cahill, while Demba Ba is expected to continue up front.

Arsene Wenger is still without Mikel Arteta (calf), who has been sidelined until the end of the month, so Abou Diaby is likely to continue in midfield in his absence.

Laurent Koscielny has served the one-match suspension he picked up against Manchester City, and could return to defence ahead of Per Mertesacker.

Gervinho is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with the Ivory Coast, while Tomas Rosicky (calf) has been ruled out of Sunday’s derby.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Chelsea have won just one of their last seven league games at Stamford Bridge – their worst run at home since 1995.
  • It took Fernando Torres 25 appearances to score three goals for Chelsea, whereas Demba Ba managed that tally in just four games.
  • Chelsea have been awarded seven penalties and scored six, more than any other side; while only two officials have pointed to the spot more often than Sunday’s referee Martin Atkinson.
  • The Blues have picked up more bookings for simulation (five) than any other side.
  • Arsenal have fewer points this season (34) after 21 games than in any previous campaign under Arsene Wenger.
  • No team has averaged more possession on the road than Arsenal (59.8 per cent) or averaged more short passes per game (531).
  • The Gunners have a league win percentage of just 14.28% without Mikel Arteta, winning once, drawing three and losing three.
  • The north London club have only lost once this season against teams from the capital, a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Emirates in September.
  • When Arsenal beat Chelsea 5-3 in the respective fixture last season, they became the first and only away side to strike five times in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Chelsea FC 3-1 Arsenal FC
    12.88 %
  • Chelsea FC 2-1 Arsenal FC
    12.56 %
  • Chelsea FC 1-2 Arsenal FC
    10.57 %
Head to Head
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 21/01/2013 Chelsea FC 2 - Arsenal FC 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 29/09/2012 Arsenal FC 1 - Chelsea FC 2
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 21/04/2012 Arsenal FC 0 - Chelsea FC 0
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 29/10/2011 Chelsea FC 3 - Arsenal FC 5
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 28/12/2010 Arsenal FC 3 - Chelsea FC 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Last Five Matches
Chelsea FC
26/05/2013Manchester City 5 - Chelsea FC 3FR
24/05/2013Chelsea FC 3 - Manchester City 4FR
20/05/2013Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1EPL
16/05/2013Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2EL
11/05/2013Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2EPL
Arsenal FC
20/05/2013Newcastle United 0 - Arsenal FC 1EPL
15/05/2013Arsenal FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
05/05/2013QPR 0 - Arsenal FC 1EPL
29/04/2013Arsenal FC 1 - Manchester United 1EPL
21/04/2013Fulham 0 - Arsenal FC 1EPL
Odds
Returns: Chelsea $0.00 Betfair 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
Returns: Draw $0.00 Betfair 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
Returns: Arsenal $0.00 Betfair 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
Team News
Available Squads
1Petr CechGoalkeeper
2Branislav IvanovicDefender
3Ashley ColeDefender
24Gary CahillDefender
28César AzpilicuetaDefender
7RamiresMidfielder
8Frank LampardMidfielder
11OscarMidfielder
17Eden HazardMidfielder
9Fernando TorresStriker
10Juan MataStriker
22Ross TurnbullGoalkeeper
20Paulo FerreiraDefender
26John TerryDefender
34Ryan BertrandDefender
-Nathan AkeDefender
21Marko MarinMidfielder
29Demba BaStriker
13Wojciech SzczesnyGoalkeeper
3Bacary SagnaDefender
4Per MertesackerDefender
5Thomas VermaelenDefender
28Kieran GibbsDefender
2A. DiabyMidfielder
10Jack WilshereMidfielder
19Santi CazorlaMidfielder
35Francis CoquelinMidfielder
12Olivier GiroudStriker
14Theo WalcottStriker
24Vito MannoneGoalkeeper
6Laurent KoscielnyDefender
27Andre SantosDefender
25Carl Jenkinson Defender
16Aaron RamseyMidfielder
23Andrey ArshavinMidfielder
35Emmanuel FrimpongMidfielder
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 

Goal.com Australia

Editions

Copyright © 2013 Goal.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Goal.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Goal.com