CHELSEA VS ARSENAL PREVIEW WITH PROBABLE LINE UPS. Arsene Wenger takes charge of Arsenal for the 1000th time when they visit Chelsea this weekend. In arguably the biggest game of the title run in to date, the Gunners will try and cut the gap on the table-topping Blues to one point on Saturday afternoon. Throughout his 18-year reign, Wenger has overseen three Premier League championship wins and four FA Cup successes, and victory at Stamford Bridge would vastly improve Arsenals chances of ending their eight-year silverware drought with another addition to the Frenchmans trophy cabinet. His opposite number, though, remains unbeaten in 75 home league matches as Chelsea boss, although the Champions League quarter-finalists did suffer a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in their last outing. The hosts will be without the suspended duo of one-named Brazilians Ramires and Willian, both of whom saw red at Villa Park much to the dismay of Jose Mourinho, who was also sent off by referee Chris Foy. Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny produced an immense display last weekend to thwart former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor in the North London derby, and he will likely have Samuel Etoo to contend with next. The Cameroonian striker, who turned 33 last week, has netted in each of his last two games and has made a habit of scoring important goals against the divisions other top sides this season. Nemanja Matic, who is ineligible for European competition, will return to fill the void left by Ramires and could be joined in midfield by both Frank Lampard and David Luiz, with Mourinho having favoured a more cautious approach against Chelseas title rivals so far this campaign. Injury wont deny Ashley Cole the chance to face the club he left to sign for the Blues, but Cesar Azpilicueta will. Cole is fit again following a knee problem, but will only be among the home substitutes. Wenger heads into his landmark match without four of his most senior figures. The sidelined Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere will all miss Arsenals game with their capital rivals. The visitors could name the same starting XI that edged out Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, although Mathieu Flamini could be called upon instead of Lukas Podolski if Wenger feels an extra midfielder is needed. Recent form Chelsea: WLWWDW Arsenal: WDWLWL Possible starting lineups Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Luiz, Lampard; Hazard, Schurrle, Etoo Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Oxlade- Chamberlain; Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud Sports Mole says: 3-0
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 18:47:10 +0000
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