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Played
January 20, 2013 1:30 PM GMT
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
  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.

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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
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 20 Jan 2013 Chelsea FC 2 - Arsenal FC 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 29 Sep 2012 Arsenal FC 1 - Chelsea FC 2
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 21 Apr 2012 Arsenal FC 0 - Chelsea FC 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 29 Oct 2011 Chelsea FC 3 - Arsenal FC 5
  • Player Ratings
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 27 Dec 2010 Arsenal FC 3 - Chelsea FC 1
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Last Five Matches
Chelsea FC
19 May 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1EPL
15 May 2013Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2EL
11 May 2013Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2EPL
8 May 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Tottenham 2EPL
5 May 2013Manchester United 0 - Chelsea FC 1EPL
Arsenal FC
19 May 2013Newcastle United 0 - Arsenal FC 1EPL
14 May 2013Arsenal FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
4 May 2013QPR 0 - Arsenal FC 1EPL
28 Apr 2013Arsenal FC 1 - Manchester United 1EPL
20 Apr 2013Fulham 0 - Arsenal FC 1EPL
Odds
Returns: Chelsea £19.50 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £130.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Arsenal £5010.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet 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
19Paulo 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
Players to Watch
Demba Ba
Demba Ba
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 29
Games Goals YC RC
14 2 0 0
The Senegalese forward has shown no signs of the second season slump that occurred last year, maintaining his impressive form with his new club; the 27-year-old’s acrobatic strike against Southampton was his first league goal for Chelsea, and his third in four games for the Blues. Ba’s link-play has been unexpectedly excellent, providing a bullish, physical presence and dovetailing well with Chelsea’s Three Amigos. Ba has already scored against Arsenal this season, striking twice for Newcastle at the Emirates.
Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 14
Games Goals YC RC
32 14 3 0
The English winger-cum-striker didn’t start against Chelsea when the sides met earlier this season, but has since become the fulcrum of Arsenal’s attack; Walcott has scored or assisted 35% of the Gunners league goals this year, and is the club’s top goalscorer in all competitions. Rafa Benitez’s side looked vulnerable on the break against Southampton, a weakness Walcott’s blistering pace and directness could exploit. However, the 23-year-old has hit a bump recently, failing to score or assist in his four appearances in 2013.
Prediction
Chelsea have struggled massively at Stamford Bridge since the appointment of Rafa Benitez, and Arsenal will travel to west London with memories of the five goals they bagged on their last visit. The fixture hasn’t produced a draw since 2006, so with the home crowd quick to turn on their side and Arsenal in need of a win to keep them in the hunt for Champions League qualification, a fired-up Gunners could nick all three points.
Editor's Prediction
Chelsea 1
Arsenal 2
Results
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