Arsenal Special: Arsenal's Style Meets Chelsea's Substance, And History Points To A Winner

The irresistible force of Arsenal meets the immovable object of Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday - and the most logical outcome is therefore a draw. Curiously, however, given their feats this season, a draw is the least likely outcome.

Looking at the statistics, that seems to be the conclusion to reach. So, if you are a betting man and have faith in this young Arsenal team's ability to rise to the challenge this time, go for a 2-2 draw. Alternatively, see sense, and remember there are lies, damned lies and statistics!

Looking strictly at the fixtures played in the Premier League, since 2000, Arsenal have only once failed to score at home against Chelsea (in a 2-0 defeat four years ago), but have lost twice in the last four seasons and, thanks to William Gallas's solitary goal, scraped their last win in this fixture back in 2007. 

Before that, you have to go back to October 2003 to find an Arsenal home league win while, if you study the overall results for all matches between the two clubs in the last five seasons, the outcome is just two Gunners' victories in 13 games, with Chelsea winning seven and drawing four.

Waiting on William | Gallas is facing a fitness struggle

Given the two teams' respective injury problems, recent results and consistency, Chelsea will be full of confidence while Arsenal, depending very much on the fitness of defender Gallas, may have reasons to be concerned at their own vulnerability.

The Gunners are, however, the league's top-scoring team and with 36 goals in 12 outings have outscored Chelsea, the second-best, by three goals (having played a game fewer that the leaders). That fact alone should ensure that Arsenal will attack with some swagger.

But it is when you look at the two defences that the picture changes - Arsenal this season have conceded 15 goals in 12 games; Chelsea just eight in 13.

It is, of course, a London derby with spice added by the prowess of the two teams and various cup clashes in recent seasons all of which ended up going Chelsea's way; most notably last season's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley where Didier Drogba's majesty and power was decisive.

All of which adds up to nothing much because this contest is one of those passionate occasions when anything can happen. A slice of luck, a mistake or a moment of sublime inspiration can be decisive, but it is difficult to see beyond Chelsea's almost metronomic consistency being the greatest influence.

The absent Robin van Persie will be sorely missed, too. He was the scorer of Arsenal's opening goal five times this season before his ankle injury, a feat equalled for Chelsea by Nicolas Anelka.

Arsenal will have to call up reserves of spirit and inspiration - and hope that men like Russian forward Andrey Arshavin and captain Cesc Fabregas can produce magical moments that turn the game while their team-mates are solid enough to hold things together. If Chelsea have a weakness, it could be a right-back and it will be vital for Arshavin to make the most of it.

The impish player has done it before and needs to do it again, and what irony there would be in seeing him shine and score against Roman Abramovich's team, little more than a week after sharing his compatriot's disappointment in failing to qualify for next summer's World Cup.

Tim Collings, Goal.com UK