Friday 18 January 2013

Chelsea v Arsenal: Squad sheets - The Guardian

Home games are feeling like ordeals for Chelsea's players and their interim first-team manager. Aside from the poisonous atmosphere that has persisted throughout Rafael Benítez's spell at the club, the hosts have won only one of his six domestic games to date, with the team appearing on edge far too often at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal will at least not arrive intent merely on blanket defence, which should present space in which to play, but the visitors won 5-3 in this arena last term. Quite how the locals would respond to a similar drubbing this time around does not bear thinking. Dominic Fifield

Venue Stamford Bridge, Sunday 1.30pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Chelsea 3 Arsenal 5

Referee Martin Atkinson

This season's matches 17 Y68, R1, 4.06 cards per game

Odds Chelsea 4-5 Arsenal 10-3 Draw 13-5

Chelsea v Arsenal: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light Chelsea v Arsenal: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

Chelsea

Subs from Turnbull, Hilário, Blackman, Ferreira, Azpilicueta, Bertrand, Ake, Oscar, Torres, Marin

Doubtful Terry (match fitness)

Injured Benayoun (knee, Feb), Romeu (knee, Aug)

Unavailable Moses, Mikel (both on Africa Cup of Nations duty)

Form guide DWLWWW

Disciplinary record Y30 R2

Leading scorers Lampard, Mata, Torres 7

Arsenal

Subs from Mannone, Martínez, Jenkinson, Yennaris, Koscielny, Squillaci, André Santos, Ramsey, Coquelin, Gnabry, Arshavin, Giroud

Doubtful None

Injured Rosicky (calf, 26 Jan), Arteta (calf, 29 Jan), Fabianski (ankle, Feb)

Suspended None Form guide LDWWWW

Disciplinary record Y20 R2

Leading scorer Walcott 8

Match pointers

• Arsenal have won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League more times (seven) than any other side and scored the most goals (27)

• Chelsea took fewer points (eight) from top-flight London derbies than any other club in the capital in 2011-12 but have already matched that total this season

• Arsenal have lost just three of their past 19 away matches in this division and are unbeaten in the last five

• Demba Ba's last two goals for Newcastle before signing for Chelsea came against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 29 December

• Theo Walcott's first ever goal for Arsenal came against Chelsea in the 2007 League Cup final

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