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Played
September 29, 2012 12:45 PM BST
Emirates Stadium — London
Referee: M. Atkinson
Attendance: 60101
September 29, 2012 12:45 PM BST
Emirates Stadium — London
Referee: M. Atkinson
Attendance: 60101
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| Arsenal | 2.10 | 6.50 | 2.30 | 151.00 | 2.25 | 3.80 | 2.19 | 2.15 |
| Draw | 3.40 | 1.33 | 3.25 | 10.00 | 3.40 | 2.40 | 3.35 | 3.32 |
| Chelsea | 3.40 | 5.00 | 3.20 | 1.06 | 3.20 | 2.40 | 3.45 | 3.46 |
Arsenal - Chelsea Preview: Di Matteo's table-toppers face undefeated Gunners in London derby
The Blues have kept clean sheets in their last three Premier League matches but face an Arsene Wenger side boasting an array of on-form attacking options
By Josh Clarke
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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ARSENAL
 Mannone Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs Diaby, Arteta, Cazorla Walcott, Giroud, Podolski |
CHELSEA
 Cech Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole Mikel, Lampard, Ramires Hazard, Torres, Mata |
Theo Walcott, after scoring a double against Coventry, is unlikely to see his midweek League Cup involvement take him out of Arsenal Wenger’s thoughts, especially with Gervinho misfiring spectacularly against Manchester City. Olivier Giroud, who scored his first Arsenal goal on Wednesday night may replace the Ivorian, with Walcott having to make do with a place on the wing.
Thomas Vermaelen (illness) returns and could force Per Mertesacker to drop to the bench, with the Belgian linking up with Laurent Koscielny to recreate the centre-half pairing that served the home side so well last term. Long-term absentees Jack Wilshere (ankle), Bacary Sagna (leg), Tomas Rosicky (Achilles) and Wojciech Szczesny (foot) remain out until next month.
Frank Lampard and Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) should recover in time for the visit to the Emirates though only the former is likely to feature from the off.
John Terry’s recently imposed four-match ban will not start until after the appeals process has been concluded so the Blues captain should remain in the starting line-up defence, as Roberto Di Matteo finds himself with a full squad to select from.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Victory over Chelsea would hand Wenger his 350th Premier League win as Arsenal boss.
- Compared to last season, Arsenal are 10 places higher, have five more points and a goal difference which is 15 better.
- Vito Mannone (91%) has a better saves-to-shots ratio this season than Petr Cech (88%).
- Mikel Arteta (pictured, right), who will be in line to make his 250th start in English football, has averaged 111 touches per game this season, more than any other player in the Premier League.
- Chelsea have not conceded a goal in the Premier League for over a month, with Reading's Danny Guthrie the last man to breach their backline.
- The Blues have not conceded in 331 minutes - Danny Guthrie's goal for Reading in August being the last.
- John Terry is one goal away from 50 for Chelsea.
- Branislav Ivanovic is in line to make his 100th start for the Blues.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea FC
- 14.79 %
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Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea FC
- 14.61 %
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Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea FC
- 12.7 %
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Jan 20, 2013 | Chelsea FC 2 - Arsenal 1 |
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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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Arsenal
   |
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| May 19, 2013 | Newcastle 0 - Arsenal 1 | EPL |
| May 14, 2013 | Arsenal 4 - Wigan Athletic 1 | EPL |
| May 4, 2013 | QPR 0 - Arsenal 1 | EPL |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Arsenal 1 - Man Utd. 1 | EPL |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Fulham 0 - Arsenal 1 | EPL |
Chelsea FC
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| May 19, 2013 | Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1 | EPL |
| May 15, 2013 | Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2 | EL |
| May 11, 2013 | Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2 | EPL |
| May 8, 2013 | Chelsea FC 2 - Tottenham 2 | EPL |
| May 5, 2013 | Man Utd. 0 - Chelsea FC 1 | EPL |
| Returns: | Arsenal £1510.00 |
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Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 | |
| Returns: | Draw £100.00 |
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Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 | |
| Returns: | Chelsea £50.00 |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
| 24 | Vito Mannone | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | Thomas Vermaelen | Defender |
| 6 | Laurent Koscielny | Defender |
| 25 | Carl Jenkinson | Defender |
| 28 | Kieran Gibbs | Defender |
| 2 | A. Diaby | Midfielder |
| 8 | Mikel Arteta | Midfielder |
| 16 | Aaron Ramsey | Midfielder |
| 19 | Santi Cazorla | Midfielder |
| 9 | Lukas Podolski | Striker |
| 27 | Gervinho | Striker |
| - | Damián Martínez | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Per Mertesacker | Defender |
| 27 | Andre Santos | Defender |
| 20 | Johan Djourou | Defender |
| 12 | Olivier Giroud | Striker |
| 14 | Theo Walcott | Striker |
| 15 | Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | Striker |
| 1 | Petr Cech | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Branislav Ivanovic | Defender |
| 3 | Ashley Cole | Defender |
| 26 | John Terry | Defender |
| 4 | David Luiz | Defender |
| 11 | Oscar | Midfielder |
| 12 | John Obi Mikel | Midfielder |
| 17 | Eden Hazard | Midfielder |
| 7 | Ramires | Midfielder |
| 9 | Fernando Torres | Striker |
| 10 | Juan Mata | Striker |
| 22 | Ross Turnbull | Goalkeeper |
| 24 | Gary Cahill | Defender |
| 28 | César Azpilicueta | Defender |
| 34 | Ryan Bertrand | Defender |
| 6 | Oriol Romeu | Midfielder |
| 8 | Frank Lampard | Midfielder |
| 13 | Victor Moses | Midfielder |
| A. Diaby | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 2 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The France international has put in a series of dominant performances this term but, of equal importance in this London derby, is Diaby’s efficiency in feeding the ball to Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla. Arsenal’s Spanish midfield maestros hold the key to the sort of fluent performance the home side need to wear down a resilient Chelsea side.
| John Terry | |
| Position: | Defender |
| Squad Number: | 26 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Never one to let off-the-pitch crisises affect his Chelsea performances, the Blues captain is likely to be relied upon to feature this weekend. The bullish centre-half will expect, and probably thrive off, a hostile reception from the Emirates faithful, but of more concern will be a resurgent Gunners attack.
Both clubs remain undefeated in the league this season, though the west Londoners sit four points above Saturday’s opponents. However, with the Gunners taking strides forward in the strength of their defensive setup of late and boasting an array of potent attacking variables, this will be a game Arsene Wenger will think they can snatch.
Chelsea have only scored once in their last two Premier League encounters – against Stoke and QPR – and this potential impotency could cost them at the Emirates.
Chelsea have only scored once in their last two Premier League encounters – against Stoke and QPR – and this potential impotency could cost them at the Emirates.
Results
Times In BST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Robin van Persie Striker Man Utd. |
26 | 3 |
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Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
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Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
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C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
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Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
