Preview: Chelsea v. Arsenal

Robin van Persie scored twice in this fixture last year. I feel like we could really use him these days... Pic via Arsenal.com.

Stamford Bridge, London
Sunday, February 7
1600 GMT, 11:00 am EST

• Referee: Mike Dean
  
• This Match, Last Year: Chelsea 1 - 2 Arsenal
  
• Arsenal's Recent Form: W-D-W-W-D-L
• Chelsea's Recent Form: D-W-W-W-W-D
  

Predicted Line-Up
guesses italicized

Almunia
Sagna - Gallas - Vermaelen - Clichy
Fabregas - Song - Denilson
Nasri - Bendtner - Arshavin

Subs from: Fabianski, Traore, Campbell, Rosicky, Ramsey, Eboue, Walcott
Out: Merida (ankle), Vela (knee), Eduardo (hamstring), Diaby (calf), Gibbs (foot), Van Persie (ankle), Djourou (knee)

• On a scale of one to a bazillion, comprehending the importance of this fixture is exacerbating my bronchitis.
• Arsenal currently sits six points behind their Sunday hosts, or two wins out of first.
• After Sunday, there will be 13 games remaining in the season. An Arsenal win means they'll have 13 games to make up a one-win margin. Lose, and it's 13 games to make up a three-win margin. This does slightly ignore that Arsenal's behind Man United as well, so shhhh!
  
• Stating the obviousness of this match's importance!
• AHHHH! SO IMPORTANT!
• Abou Diaby is questionable for the match, still nursing his calf injury. He is not yet back to normal training. A decision will likely be made Saturday. We here at Hipster Gooner might be too drunk to update you.
• Eduardo is still out, suffering from a hamstring injury he suffered at Villa Park.
• Wait, when did Carlos Vela get hurt?
• I'd prefer if Denilson did not start, as he has done nothing but look lazy and stop running on the pitch as of late. But, he probably will start anyway.
  
• Some kind of John Terry joke!
• DID I MENTION THIS MATCH IS IMPORTANT!
• In their last seven matches against Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal have lost six, drawn one, and won nothing.
• MAKE IT STOP!
• Some sort of greedy jerk named Ashley Cole is expected to start for Chelsea, returning from an ankle injury.
• Arsenal has only won two of its last 15 competitive matches against Chelsea.
• The last four meetings between the two sides have been won by the away team.
• Chelsea has yet to concede a goal to another Big Four side this season. Arsenal has allowed nine.
• Chelsea has not lost a match at Stamford Bridge since November 30, 2008, the last time they hosted Arsenal. That's 35 matches in all competitions.
  
• 15 of Chelsea's 20 goals conceded this season have come from set pieces. I take that as bad news for Arsenal.
• In his last nine matches against Arsenal, Didier Drogba has scored ten goals.
  
• For the third straight preview, I get to mention that Arsene Wenger is one win away from 300 for his Premier League career.
• AHHH! THIS MATCH IS SO IMPORTANT FOR ARSENAL'S SEASON!!!
• It has been almost a year since an Arsenal player has been sent off. That was Emmanuel Eboue against Tottenham on February 8, 2009. And, now it's been jinxed. Blame Guardian for bringing it up.
  
• This will be former Chelsea defender William Gallas's 100th match with Arsenal.