Arsenal face table toppers Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, they lost the corresponding fixture 6-0 last season.
Starting XIs
Chelsea (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
Out: Drogba (ankle), Ramires (groin).
Arsenal (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Wilshere, Flamini; Sánchez, Özil, Cazorla; Welbeck.
Out: Arteta (calf), Debuchy (ankle), Giroud (foot), Gnabry, Walcott (both knee), Ramsey (hamstring), Sanogo (hamstring).
Jose Mourinho has almost a fully fit squad, with only Drogba and Ramires out injured. Premier League top goal scorer Diego Costa has not been training much, but he is expected to start against Arsenal. Willian might return to the starting XI. Mourinho is expected to start fullbacks Ivanovic and Azpilicueta which means Filipe Luis still has to wait for his chance at Stamford Bridge. Former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas is expected to start and he can be a major threat for Arsenal.
Wenger is currently dealing with a number of injured players. Arteta and Ramsey were injured in the last league game against Tottenham Hotspur and are expected to miss the game. Jack Wilshere is back from injury and will start for Arsenal along with Flamini at the middle of the park. Welbeck is expected to start after a brilliant hat-trick against Galatasaray. Sanchez , Ozil and Cazorla are all expected to start.
Manager quotes:
Arsene Wenger: “It was not a bad day [the 6-0 defeat], it was a horrendous day for us.
“But we never forget that day and we have an opportunity to put it right. We, of course, are hugely determined and have a big hunger to put that right on Sunday. We have an opportunity to do it and I am confident that we will take the chance to do it.”
Jose Mourinho: “I don’t apologise, he didn’t apologise. My feeling is not to go over it – forget it, to move forwards without thinking about what happened. He doesn’t need to apologise, so I don’t need an apology or to apologise.
“Intelligent football people don’t need that, it’s finished. Let’s go for another match with big responsibilities for both of us.”
Opta Stats:
- Didier Drogba has scored 15 goals in 15 appearances against Arsenal in all competitions (including Emirates Cup).
- Arsenal have lost just one of their last 14 Barclays Premier League games since defeat at Stamford Bridge in March.
- The last time these two sides met was Arsene Wenger’s 1000th competitive game in charge of Arsenal and turned out to be his heaviest defeat (0-6).
- Jose Mourinho has never lost as an opposition coach against Arsene Wenger in any competition (W6 D5 L0).
- Arsenal have won away at Stamford Bridge more often than any other visiting side in the Barclays Premier League (7).
- The last five Premier League wins Arsenal have enjoyed at Stamford Bridge have all seen the Gunners come from behind to win.
- Arsenal have won none of their last 14 Premier League meetings against Chelsea, Man Utd or Man City (W0 D7 L7).
- Former Gunner Cesc Fabregas leads the league with six goal assists and has 76 overall ranking him seventh in the all-time Premier League list.
- Arsenal and Chelsea have both recovered six points from losing positions this season, the joint-most in the Premier League.
- Chelsea have scored with 26% of their shots this season, the best chance conversion in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have conceded 199 goals in Premier League London derbies while Chelsea have conceded 198.
Prediction:
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal