Arsenal v Chelsea - Live On Sky Sports 2
Saturday’s early kick off sees Chelsea take on Arsenal at the Emirates stadium, as the two form teams of the Premier League go head to head in a battle for title chances.
Saturdays early kick off sees Chelsea take on Arsenal at the Emirates stadium, as the two form teams of the Premier League go head to head in a battle for title chances. Arsenal continued their great run of form in the Capital One Cup in midweek, thrashing a beleaguered Coventry City side 6-1 in front of a home crowd. They will go into the game against Chelsea sitting in fifth place, knowing that a win over their London rivals would put them within a point of the top of the table. Olivier Giroud scored his first goal for the club against Coventry and is likely to start the game, while the midfield trio of Arteta, Diaby and Cazorla were rested ahead of the clash and should be ready to do some damage against the Blues. Chelsea were no less impressive in their 6-0 drubbing of Wolves on Tuesday, with Victor Moses netting his first goal since his arrival from Wigan. Unlike Arsenal, most of Chelseas first team was involved in the clash and so will no doubt be looking to recover from the game, regardless of the ease with which Wolves were dispatched. Chelsea are so far looking to be the team to beat this season, they sit atop the league table, four points above Arsenal in fifth and have looked a very strong unit thus far. Theyll no doubt be looking to cement their league position, and what better place to do so then at the Emirates? A win for the Gunners will be a further testament to their title credentials after a hard earned point at Manchester City last weekend; while three points for Chelsea in their sternest test of the season so far will not only extend their lead at the top of the table, but should do enough to convince any doubters of their ability to win the league. Arsenal Team News: Arsenal expect to have captain Thomas Vermaelen back from a flu virus for after missing the games against City and Coventry, while first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (ankle) remains sidelined. Emmanuel Frimpong returned to action from a long-term knee injury for the midweek Capital One Cup win over Coventry, but, along with fellow midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle), will sharpen his fitness in the Under-21s game on Monday. Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Bacary Sagna (broken leg) are expected to feature within the next fortnight. Chelsea Team News: John Terry has been declared fit and available for Chelsea's Premier League clash at Arsenal. Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo said he would have no qualms picking Terry while the club captain decides whether to appeal Thursday's guilty verdict in his Football Association race case. Frank Lampard has shaken off an ankle injury, but the game comes too early for Daniel Sturridge (hamstring). Line-UpsArsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla, Ramsey, Gervinho, Podolski. Subs: Martinez, Mertesacker, Djourou, Santos, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud. Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole Ramires, Mikel, Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres. Subs: Romeu, Lampard, Moses, Turnbull, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Bertrand.