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Chelsea FC vs Arsenal: Team News, Prediction and Stats

By Ollie Browning

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: John Terry of Chelsea shakes hands with Petr Cech of Arsenal in the tunnel prior to the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: John Terry of Chelsea shakes hands with Petr Cech of Arsenal in the tunnel prior to the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea FC and Arsenal lock horns once again this weekend but this time Guus Hiddink will be the manager looking to ruin Arsene Wenger’s day.

Chelsea visit Arsenal this Sunday as they return to Premier League action, a week after the thrilling 3-3 draw with Everton. Despite having a poor season, the Blues won the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in September, beating Arsenal 2-0. Kurt Zouma and a Calum Chambers own-goal ensured Chelsea took all three points that day, as the Gunners finished with nine men.

However, since then Arsenal have been climbing the Premier League table at the same rate as Chelsea have been slipping down it and Sunday’s hosts sit top of the league on goal difference. The Blues are currently 14th. Even though 12 teams separate the London rivals before kickoff, this weekend’s matchup at the Emirates is still one of the biggest games of the season.

Team News:

Guus Hiddink has a couple of worries ahead of the visit to the Emirates. Striker Diego Costa is a slight doubt after being forced off against Everton with a shin injury last week, but it doesn’t appear too serious.

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Eden Hazard returned to training on Wednesday after missing the last three games, and his return ahead of Sunday will be a huge boost for the Blues. Rumours are that youngster Charly Musonda has been called up to train with the first team squad, so he could be a surprise inclusion at the weekend. Falcao remains sidelined with a thigh injury.

Arsenal are expecting two big names to return in time for the crunch match with Chelsea. Mesut Ozil is expected to feature after missing the Gunners’ 0-0 draw with Stoke. Alexis Sanchez also returned to training this week and the hosts will hope that he will be fit to play after six weeks out. His return would be a serious threat to Chelsea, as the Chilean winger is a match winner on his day.

Although they won’t feature on Sunday, Arsene Wenger also confirmed that Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck are all close to returning.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Referee Mike Dean talks with Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on September 19, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Referee Mike Dean talks with Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on September 19, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /

Stats:

Arsenal have not scored in the last eight hours and two minutes of Premier League football against Chelsea. If they fail to score at the weekend it will equal their longest run without a goal versus any opponent in BPL history. (six matches v Liverpool 1997 to 2000).

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last eight league matches against Arsenal. (W5 D3).

The last time the Gunners beat Chelsea in the Premier League was in 2011, when Arsenal won 5-3.

Next: Premier League Picks: the Home Stretch begins

Writer’s Prediction:

Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea.

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