Arsenal are not out of contention for the title, but they will feel tomorrow that the immediate target is to restore credibility after the sobering loss to Manchester United. Arsène Wenger’s side won the fixture at Stamford Bridge last season. Chelsea will feel they are in better shape as a club nowadays, but their performance was lacklustre in the draw at Hull. Didier Drogba did score there but it will be important for the Ivorian and Nicolas Anelka to combine more convicingly in the remainder of the programme. Kevin McCarra
Venue Stamford Bridge
Tickets Sold out
Last season Chelsea 1 Arsenal 2
Referee M Dean
This season’s matches 16 Y71, R2, 4.56 cards per game
Odds Chelsea 5-6 Arsenal 4-1 Draw 13-5
Chelsea
Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Ferreira, Alex, Hutchinson, Sturridge, Deco, Mikel, Zhirkov, Bruma, Kakuta, Matic, Borini
Doubtful None
Injured Belletti (knee, 20 Feb), Essien (knee, 24 Feb), Bosingwa (knee, Mar)
Suspended None
Form guide DWWWWD
Disciplinary record Y32 R2
Leading scorer Drogba 15
Arsenal
Subs from Fabianski, Mannone, Traoré, Silvestre, Campbell, Ramsey, Eboué, Diaby, Walcott, Mérida, Rosicky, Coquelin
Doubtful Campbell (groin), Diaby (calf), Mérida (foot)
Injured Eduardo (hamstring, 20 Feb), Vela (knee, 20 Feb), Djourou (knee, Apr), Van Persie (ankle, Apr), Gibbs (foot, May)
Suspended None
Form guide LDWWDW
Disciplinary record Y34 R0
Leading scorer Fábregas 11
Match pointers
• Chelsea are on a run of 35 home matches in all competitions without a defeat since losing to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge last season
• Arsenal have not had a player sent off since Emmanuel Eboué was dismissed after 37 minutes against Tottenham on 8 February last year
• Didier Drogba has scored 10 goals in his last nine appearances against Arsenal in all competitions
• Arsenal have scored 18 goals from outside the penalty area so far this season, five more than they managed in the whole of 2008-09
• Chelsea have lost only two of their last 15 competetive meetings with Arsenal
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