England - Premier League
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Played
October 29, 2011 12:45 PM BST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee:‬ A. Marriner‎
Attendance:‬ 41801‎
 

Premier League Preview: Chelsea v Arsenal

Both sides ran out winners in their midweek League Cup ties but the Blues will now hope to get their Premier League title challenge back on track after disappointment against QPR

By David Lynch

More On :  Arsenal, Chelsea FC, Chelsea FC vs Arsenal

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA

Cech
Bosingwa, Terry, Luiz, Cole
Mikel, Lampard, Meireles
Mata, Torres, Sturridge
ARSENAL

Szczesny
Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos
Arteta, Song, Ramsey
Gervinho, Van Persie, Walcott
Andre Villas-Boas’ side managed a late win at Goodison Park in the League Cup this week without many of their first team stars.

Ross Turnbull’s red card in that match meant they played a second game in four days at a numerical disadvantage, but should be able to freshen up their squad sufficiently ahead of the Gunners’ visit.

Fernando Torres is expected to make his league return, replacing the suspended Didier Drogba, and is in fine form after two recent Champions League goals against Genk.

Arsene Wenger’s much-changed League Cup team managed to come from behind to win against Bolton in midweek.

That tie allowed Arsenal to rest much of their first team but saw the return from injury of Thomas Vermaelen, however, the Belgian is unlikely to make the starting line-up in the league game.

Robin van Persie is likely to return to the starting XI after coming from the bench to help the Gunners beat Stoke in their last league match.

DID YOU KNOW?
  • These teams have faced each other 38 times in the Premier League.
  • Arsenal have won 16 matches of those matches with a Chelsea win and a draw occurring on 11 occasions each.
  • Chelsea are without the suspended Didier Drogba (right), who has scored in their last three victories over the Gunners.
  • These sides have received a total of eight red cards so far this season – Chelsea with five and Arsenal three.
  • Chelsea have finished above their London rivals in each of the last seven seasons.
  • If selected, Ashley Cole will be making his 157th league appearance for Chelsea, finally surpassing his league appearance total for Arsenal.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Chelsea FC 3-0 Arsenal
    20.88 %
  • Chelsea FC 1-2 Arsenal
    18.22 %
  • Chelsea FC 3-1 Arsenal
    9.44 %
Head to Head
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Jan 20, 2013 Chelsea FC 2 - Arsenal 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Sep 29, 2012 Arsenal 1 - Chelsea FC 2
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Apr 21, 2012 Arsenal 0 - Chelsea FC 0
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Oct 29, 2011 Chelsea FC 3 - Arsenal 5
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Dec 27, 2010 Arsenal 3 - Chelsea FC 1
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Last Five Matches
Chelsea FC
May 24, 2013Chelsea FC 3 - Manchester City FC 4FR
May 19, 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1EPL
May 15, 2013Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2EL
May 11, 2013Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2EPL
May 8, 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Tottenham 2EPL
Arsenal
May 19, 2013Newcastle 0 - Arsenal 1EPL
May 14, 2013Arsenal 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
May 4, 2013QPR 0 - Arsenal 1EPL
Apr 28, 2013Arsenal 1 - Man Utd. 1EPL
Apr 20, 2013Fulham 0 - Arsenal 1EPL
Odds
Returns: Chelsea £150.00 BetVictor Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!
Returns: Draw £38.00 BetVictor Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!
Returns: Arsenal £95.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
1Petr CechGoalkeeper
3Ashley ColeDefender
26John TerryDefender
2Branislav IvanovicDefender
19José BosingwaDefender
10Juan MataStriker
8Frank LampardMidfielder
15Daniel SturridgeStriker
12John Obi MikelMidfielder
7RamiresMidfielder
9Fernando TorresStriker
-Jamal BlackmanGoalkeeper
34Ryan BertrandDefender
4David LuizDefender
6Oriol RomeuMidfielder
15Florent MaloudaMidfielder
14Raúl MeirelesMidfielder
36Romelu LukakuStriker
13Wojciech SzczesnyGoalkeeper
27Andre SantosDefender
6Laurent KoscielnyDefender
4Per MertesackerDefender
20Johan DjourouDefender
8Mikel ArtetaMidfielder
17Alexandre SongMidfielder
16Aaron RamseyMidfielder
27GervinhoStriker
20Robin van PersieStriker
14Theo WalcottStriker
21Lukasz FabianskiGoalkeeper
25Carl Jenkinson Defender
5Thomas VermaelenDefender
7Tomas RosickyMidfielder
23Andrey ArshavinMidfielder
35Emmanuel FrimpongMidfielder
18Chu-Young ParkStriker
Players to Watch
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 15
Games Goals YC RC
14 10 2 0
His late winner against Everton in midweek maintained his goalscoring run on what is proving to be a breakthrough season for the young striker.

He now has five goals in eight appearances in all competitions and should be fresh enough to start here.
Gervinho
Gervinho
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 27
Games Goals YC RC
18 5 1 0
The Ivorian has two league goals so far this season and has quickly cemented his position in the Gunners’ first XI.

What better way for him to further announce his Premier League arrival than with a match-winning performance against highfliers Chelsea?
Probable Lineups
Petr Cech 1
Ashley Cole 3
John Terry 26
Branislav Ivanovic 2
José Bosingwa 19
Juan Mata 10
Frank Lampard 8
Daniel Sturridge 15
John Obi Mikel 12
Ramires 7
Fernando Torres 9
Wojciech Szczesny 13
Andre Santos 27
Laurent Koscielny 6
Per Mertesacker 4
Johan Djourou 20
Mikel Arteta 8
Alexandre Song 17
Aaron Ramsey 16
Gervinho 27
Robin van Persie 20
Theo Walcott 14
Prediction
Chelsea found themselves incredibly unlucky to come away with nothing after facing much of their clash with QPR with just nine men.

They showed similarly impressive spirit after Ross Turnbull’s early red card against Everton and the confidence from that late win should provide a boost ahead of a tough game.

Arsenal have improved hugely since their poor start but a trip to face an in-form Chelsea at Stamford Bridge may just be a step too far.

If the Blues acquit themselves in the way they have thus far this season they should run riot against a never wholly reliable Arsenal defence.
Editor's Prediction
Chelsea 3
Arsenal 1
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Match News
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man Utd. 		26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool 		23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham 		21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0