Preview: Chelsea vs Arsenal

This weekend's biggest fixture pits London rivals Chelsea against Arsenal for Saturday's early kick off. Chelsea will start as favorites, but a rejuvenated Gunners side are sure to offer tricky competition for the Blues. A Chelsea victory would see them leapfrog Man Utd into 2nd place.

Andre Villas-Boas has quietly but carefully reassembled Chelsea's side over the past few months; and somewhat controversially he has at times turned to youth ahead of experience, such as Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard who have spent time warming the substitutes bench this year.

On the other hand, Arsenal were forced to make wholesale changes since the summer departures of Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas. The Gunners have brought in new faces and this chopping and changing meant Arsenal endured their worst ever start to a Premier League season. An 8-2 defeat to Man Utd was their worst defeat in over 80 years. Since then, the Gunners have started to turn the tables though, and Arsene Wenger has begun another rebuilding process heavily reliant on Dutch superstar Robin van Persie, who has scored four goals in 2 Premier League games.

For Arsene Wenger, he will be hoping Robin van Persie continues his sublime form against Chelsea, as they will be relying on the Dutch master more than ever this weekend.

Last weekend, Chelsea slumped to 1-0 defeat against QPR whilst Arsenal needed the late introduction of van Persie to secure a 2-1 win over Bolton.

TEAMS

Arsenal and Chelsea are both expected to ring the changes for this game after Carling Cup midweek matches.

Chelsea will recall Fernando Torres to the starting XI as Didier Drogba is missing through suspension, but Ramires could be recalled today.

Arsenal will be missing Kieran Gibbs for this game, and Andre Santos is expected to step in. Thomas Vermaelen could make his first Premier League appearance of the season today after returning from injury.

PREDICTION:

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

FIRST GOALSCORER:

Danny Sturridge