Chelsea will travel cross town to go head to head with historical rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium 2 days before Christmas. Potentially at stake for the victor, a place at the top of the table over the holiday period. This will be the second time this season the sides have met, having contested a Capital One Cup 4th Round tie at the same venue 2 months previous, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Chelsea.











The last times the sides met was indeed said Capital One Cup tie in October. Both sides fielded weakened line-ups, albeit it to differing degrees. The visitors undeniably started off the better side, and took the lead on 25 minutes via a defensive cock-up at the back directly following an Arsenal corner, capitalised upon by Blues full-back Cesar Azpilicueta. The second half saw the home side really up the pressure on their hosts, but in the 66th minute, Juan Mata struck an absolute pearler to double the Blues' lead. The introduction of several first-team substitutions by Arsene Wenger, including Olivier Giroud and Mesut Özil, proved futile, and the scoreline prevailed, knocking trophy-needy Arsenal out and seeing José Mourinho's men through to the quarterfinals.










The corresponding League fixture last season was also one of triumph for the Blues. Roberto Di Matteo's men took the lead after 20 minutes as Fernando Torres helped home Juan Mata's well-placed free-kick. The home side equalised just before halftime through a Gervinho goal on the turn blasted into the roof of the net, but the Blues edged back in the lead after the interval as another Juan Mata free-kick from quite a distance out went all the way through, past Vito Mannone and into the Arsenal net.












Both sides obtained vastly differing results in their Matchday 16 fixtures. Chelsea bounced back from their abject shock defeat to Stoke City the week before with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace courtesy of goals from Fernando Torres and Ramires, while Arsenal were battered 6-3 by free-scoring Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.









José Mourinho's record against Arsenal and Arsene Wenger remains impeccable, with the Portuguese having won 5 and drawn 4 games in 9 against the still win-less Frenchman. Of Monday's game, and possibility of going top of the league as a result of it, the Chelsea boss said, "It's not important. In this league to be top by December or January, it isn't crucial. The league will be continue to be very open. Every game is very hard and the gaps are always opening and closing. If we're not top, then it isn't crucial."










Even despite the absence of serial Arsenal-slayer Didier Drogba, the Blues have had a superb record themselves against their neighbours in red since the Ivorian icon's departure. Indeed, there have been 3 face-offs between the sides in the year since the Champions League-winner left Stamford Bridge in May 2012, and all 3 have been won by Chelsea. José Mourinho will certainly be hoping he and his team can continue on that record come Monday.




















Laurent Koscielny will be missing for the Gunners following the Frenchman's knee injury in Arsenal's 6-3 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City on Saturday, while Arsene Wenger may also be without midfielder Jack Wilshere, with the England international presently being charged with making an 'offensive and/or insulting and/or abusive gesture' to Manchester City fans, whom he showed the middle finger to in that same game, and is likely be handed a ban ruling him out of Monday's match. Chelsea, alternatively, have no official injuries, though may be made to wait on the status of full-back Cesar Azpilicueta, who went down holding his knee in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat against Sunderland Tuesday before limping off a few minutes later, having tried unsuccessfully to run it off.

My gut says that we will lose this..

Obviously want to win this game but it will be very hard and I can see Mourinho playing for the draw here, similar to the Man U game.

Let's hope Mata starts as his record against them is incredible.

I'd take a draw right now tbh...

A draw could put Liverpool or City top, not what either team wants tbh.

Lose and we're back to 5 behind.

Win and we're above them.

A win looks a longshot.

How many times have teams won longshots? It happens and it's a Darby, anything can happen.

Have you seen us away? We're cack.

Not my point, my point is that it's a darby so it's not hard to get us motivated, if Jose can do that, I think it's anyones game.

Not saying we can't win it of course, just that I'd take a draw now if on offer.

I would too but I'd like to see us go for the win.

We played for draws at shitty Spurs and United. I've no hope he'll do any different here.

We need Ramires to have a good game, he is our only hope

We need good game from Hazard and Ramires it's only hope to win.

We need a good game from Hazard, Ramires, Mata, Oscar and everyone else who could well play.

We need possibly one of the best games in the season to come out with 3 points, I don't see it.

Jack Wilshere handed two-match suspension:
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere has been suspended for two matches by an Independent Regulatory Commission to commence with immediate effect
http://www.thefa.com/news/governance/2013/dec/arsenal-midfielder-jack-wilsherehas-two-match-suspension-upheld

Ashley Cole to be dropped for Arsenal clash, says José Mourinho:
Cesar Azpilicueta to again start in left-back spot the Blues boss announced Friday, and says he's yet to decide between Gary Cahill and David Luiz to partner John Terry in crucial derby
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ashley-cole-dropped-chelsea-left-back-2946465

"He will not play from the beginning, no. He will be on the bench or at home. I play Ivanovic right-back and Azpilicueta left-back, and John Terry. I have to make a decision between Cahill and David."

Unbeaten record over Arsene Wenger means nothing, says Mourinho ahead of crunch clash:
The Special One has never lost to the Frenchman in nine meetings, but the Chelsea boss has played down the significance of such an ominous record
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jose-mourinho-plays-down-unbeaten-2948272

"It's not me against Wenger. It's my Chelsea against his Arsenal. And that (the record) doesn't play Monday. It has no influence. That stat, for the game of Monday, means nothing."

Will you be able to watch this game Kickster?

I will watch a reply so I won't be posting straight after the match.

 


I suppose that'll have to do

Its at 1 30 am I'm going to try and stay awake...