Chelsea
are nine points clear at the top of the table as they welcome their
London rivals Arsenal to Stamford Bridge, who need a win to put
themselves back in the hunt for the Premier League title.
Arsene
Wenger's side beat Chelsea 3-0 earlier in the season at the Emirates
stadium and the result was a wake up call to Antonio Conte's men, who
then changed their system to play a 3-4-3 formation.This resulted in a
club record breaking 13 match winning streak in the league.
A
win for Antonio Conte's side could all but end Arsenal's title hopes,
after they lost 2-1 at home to Watford in mid-week, as Chelsea got an
impressive point away to Liverpool.
CHELSEA INJURIES
Willian
and David Luiz are the biggest question marks going into Saturday's
game with Arsenal as both players picked up knocks in Tuesday's match at
Anfield. Luiz, who was man of the match against Liverpool, spoke about
having troubles with his right knee.
Although,
if they recover, Chelsea could haveafull complement of players
available for Arsenal and have had one of the best injury records in the
leagueso far this season. Branislav Ivanovic has left the club for
Zenit St Peterburg after he struggled to get any game time.
Charly
Musonda and Kenedy have joined up with Chelsea's first-team and are
available to play after the club decided not to loan them out again in
January.Nathan Ake has been integrated back into the squadand impressed
onhis comeback against Brentford in the FA Cup.
View photos
David Luiz Chelsea
CHELSEA SUSPENSIONS
Chelsea have no players suspended for their match with Arsenal and they have had few issues with discipline all season.
In
2017the rules alter slightly regarding suspensions for an accumulation
of yellow cards, with 10 bookings now being required to get a ban. Pedro
and N'Golo Kanteare the closest players to Chelsea'snext suspension as
theymovedtosix bookings picked up in league and cup competition.
PROMO GFX
CHELSEA POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP
Conte
will keep using his tried and tested line up after a positive result
against Liverpoolin a match that his side almost wonas Diego Costa
missed a penalty in the 76th minute.
Chelsea
are having success by making fewer rotations than their rivals while
playing in a 3-4-3 formation. Pedro and Willian have been battling it
out for places along with Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas - but expect
few other changes to the side that drew at Anfield.
Diego Costa will lead the line as he competes with the likes of Arsenal's Alexis Sanchezfor the Premier League golden boot.
View photos
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
Granit
Xhaka will miss out through suspension after he was red carded for a
dangerous tackle against Burnley this month, earning a four game ban.
Santi Cazorla remains out with an ankle injury.
Wenger
confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will miss out with a calf strain, but that
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be fit to play despite injury concerns.
Mohamed Elneny is still at the African Cup of Nations and will miss the
match at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal
fringe playersMathieu Debuchy andYaya Sanogo are also set to miss out
as they come up against a team with far fewer concerns.
View photos
Aaron Ramsey Premier League Watford v Arsena
BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
- Chelsea’s
3-0 defeat by Arsenal in September was their heaviest against them
since April 1997 (also 3-0). They were previously unbeaten in nine
Premier League games against Arsenal (W6 D3).
- Diego Costa has scored in two of his four league games against Arsenal and has been booked in the other two.
- The
3-0 loss to Arsenal in September was Antonio Conte’s heaviest league
defeat since October 2010 when he was manager of Siena (0-3 vs Empoli).
TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME
In the UK, the game is on Sky Sports 1 at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea
are nine points clear at the top of the table as they welcome their
London rivals Arsenal to Stamford Bridge, who need a win to put
themselves back in the hunt for the Premier League title.
Arsene
Wenger's side beat Chelsea 3-0 earlier in the season at the Emirates
stadium and the result was a wake up call to Antonio Conte's men, who
then changed their system to play a 3-4-3 formation.This resulted in a
club record breaking 13 match winning streak in the league.
A
win for Antonio Conte's side could all but end Arsenal's title hopes,
after they lost 2-1 at home to Watford in mid-week, as Chelsea got an
impressive point away to Liverpool.
CHELSEA INJURIES
Willian
and David Luiz are the biggest question marks going into Saturday's
game with Arsenal as both players picked up knocks in Tuesday's match at
Anfield. Luiz, who was man of the match against Liverpool, spoke about
having troubles with his right knee.
Although,
if they recover, Chelsea could haveafull complement of players
available for Arsenal and have had one of the best injury records in the
leagueso far this season. Branislav Ivanovic has left the club for
Zenit St Peterburg after he struggled to get any game time.
Charly
Musonda and Kenedy have joined up with Chelsea's first-team and are
available to play after the club decided not to loan them out again in
January.Nathan Ake has been integrated back into the squadand impressed
onhis comeback against Brentford in the FA Cup.
View photos
David Luiz Chelsea
CHELSEA SUSPENSIONS
Chelsea have no players suspended for their match with Arsenal and they have had few issues with discipline all season.
In
2017the rules alter slightly regarding suspensions for an accumulation
of yellow cards, with 10 bookings now being required to get a ban. Pedro
and N'Golo Kanteare the closest players to Chelsea'snext suspension as
theymovedtosix bookings picked up in league and cup competition.
PROMO GFX
CHELSEA POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP
Conte
will keep using his tried and tested line up after a positive result
against Liverpoolin a match that his side almost wonas Diego Costa
missed a penalty in the 76th minute.
Chelsea
are having success by making fewer rotations than their rivals while
playing in a 3-4-3 formation. Pedro and Willian have been battling it
out for places along with Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas - but expect
few other changes to the side that drew at Anfield.
Diego Costa will lead the line as he competes with the likes of Arsenal's Alexis Sanchezfor the Premier League golden boot.
View photos
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
Granit
Xhaka will miss out through suspension after he was red carded for a
dangerous tackle against Burnley this month, earning a four game ban.
Santi Cazorla remains out with an ankle injury.
Wenger
confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will miss out with a calf strain, but that
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be fit to play despite injury concerns.
Mohamed Elneny is still at the African Cup of Nations and will miss the
match at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal
fringe playersMathieu Debuchy andYaya Sanogo are also set to miss out
as they come up against a team with far fewer concerns.
View photos
Aaron Ramsey Premier League Watford v Arsena
BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
- Chelsea’s
3-0 defeat by Arsenal in September was their heaviest against them
since April 1997 (also 3-0). They were previously unbeaten in nine
Premier League games against Arsenal (W6 D3).
- Diego Costa has scored in two of his four league games against Arsenal and has been booked in the other two.
- The
3-0 loss to Arsenal in September was Antonio Conte’s heaviest league
defeat since October 2010 when he was manager of Siena (0-3 vs Empoli).
TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME
In the UK, the game is on Sky Sports 1 at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon.
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