The chance is there to extend the double figure points lead over Arsenal in Felipe Scolari's first derby between the London sides. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton look at that and much more.

TALKING POINTS
It might not feel like a 'big four' match - a team that has won twice in six matches hosting visitors who have won three over the same period. But London's longest-running top flight derby always has a tension and drama of its own, and the stakes are as high as ever.

Chelsea have blown hot and cold at home and have a disappointing 0-0 draw with Newcastle to purge out of the pipes; Arsenal must avoid another defeat that would damage confidence as well as their title challenge. A win for the Blues and we would move 13 points clear of our north London rivals. 

KEY STAT After 14 games last season Arsenal were top with 36 points - 13 points better off than they are now - and five ahead of Chelsea with a game in hand.

This season Arsenal have already lost five games, two more than in the whole of the 2007/8 campaign.

More poignantly, their losses include Fulham, Stoke City, Hull City, teams that would have been easy meat a few years ago. You can add a draw with Sunderland to that list of disappointments. As early as the Craven Cottage setback Arsène Wenger said, 'If we want to challenge we cannot afford to lose again.'

More recently his post-match comment that his players 'lacked a little sharpness' has become something of a mantra, but the complaint last season that teams were taking points off the Gunners only through a physical or direct approach certainly didn't apply to Fulham's or Hull's wins.

In case you hadn't heard, Arsenal's is a young side. They are still finding consistency, and capable of exhilarating passing and movement as well as costly lapses of concentration - and not just from the youngsters.

There can be no doubt that the nature of Wenger's selection process has changed too. Not so long ago height seemed to be a pre-requisite for most spots in his team.

The sizeable spine of Adams/Keown, Vieira/Petit, and Kanu/Henry was intimidating enough in the tunnel, let alone on the pitch. The current models may be technically superior on the ball, but off it they do not have the same powerful presence.

Observers of their League Cup campaign have noted how fluent and attractive a future midfield of Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey would be, without due consideration of the fact that none of them is currently over 5ft 9in.

Even Glenn Hoddle's Chelsea, featuring John Spencer, Dennis Wise and Mark Stein, would fancy a few headers against that trio.

The Chelsea side that drew in Bordeaux was, on average, an inch taller than the Arsenal team that beat Kiev at the Emirates.

Chelsea's failure to hold on to a lead in France may show a worrying inability to close out a game in Europe, but even if the Blues had lost, the requirement now would be the same. One point behind leaders Roma, we need to match or better Bordeaux's result against the Italians in our final group match against CFR 1907 Cluj to qualify for the knockout stage. A draw for Roma and a Chelsea win would send us through as group winners.

Arsenal's disappointing campaign to date is all the more surprising given their relatively easy fixtures at the start of the season. They didn't really face tough opposition until November, when Manchester United were well beaten 2-1 at the Emirates. Chelsea have yet to beat one of last season's top four, drawing with United and losing to Liverpool up to now.

'Big Four' mini league table

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Liverpool	2	2	0	0	3	1	6
Arsenal	1	1	0	0	2	1	3
Chelsea	2	0	1	1	1	2	1
Man Utd	3	0	1	2	3	5	1

Former Chelsea boss José Mourinho never got on with Arsène Wenger, of course, but there was some mileage in his comment earlier this year about his Arsenal counterpart's lack of recent success.

'Their coach hasn't won anything for years, and is still an idol,' said Mourinho. 'There is no pressure at Arsenal.'

In fact Wenger last won a trophy (the FA Cup) in May 2005. The earliest he can do so again is March 1 2009 with the Carling Cup: three years and ten months on. No single Arsenal manager has presided over a period of potlessness as long as that since Terry Neill's four years, seven months between May 1979 and December 1983, at the end of which he was sacked.

Arsenal also went four years without silverware between 1994 (European Cup-Winners' Cup) and 1998 (Premier League and FA Cup double), a sequence ended by Wenger.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's limited game-changing options on the bench in France again highlighted Chelsea's debilitating injury list. Incredibly, he has not been able to select players 92 times as a result of injury, illness, suspension or international duty. The influential Michael Essien, for example, has missed 19 games, Didier Drogba 11, Joe Cole nine, and Juliano Belletti three.

Nicolas Anelka's cool dispatch on Wednesday night was his ninth in seven games in all competitions.

Premier League top scorers
Anelka (Chelsea) 12
Robinho (Man City) 8
Ronaldo (Man Utd) 8
Zaki (Wigan) 8
Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 7
Bent (Tottenham) 7
Defoe (Portsmouth) 6
Geovanni (Hull) 6
Ireland (Man City) 6

There is one other big derby of course this weekend: Middlesbrough versus Newcastle. Oh, and on Sunday lunchtime City host United at Eastlands. On Monday evening Liverpool play their fifth game at home from seven in all competitions against West Ham. For once, Chelsea have the chance to build the pressure on them before then by going three points clear at the top.

The weekend's Barclays Premier League fixtures
Saturday
Aston Villa v Fulham  3pm
Middlesbrough v Newcastle  3pm
Stoke v Hull  3pm
Sunderland v Bolton  3pm
Wigan v WBA  3pm
Sunday
Man City v Man Utd  1.30pm Sky Sports
Portsmouth v Blackburn  3pm
Tottenham v Everton  3pm
Chelsea v Arsenal  4pm Sky Sports
Monday
Liverpool v West Ham  8pm Setanta

Barclays Premier League table

Top		P	GD	PTS
1	Chelsea	14	28	33
2	Liverpool	14	13	33
3	Man Utd	13	15	25
4	Aston Villa	14	6	24
5	Arsenal	14	7	23
6	Hull	14	-2	22
7	Everton	14	-3	19
8	Portsmouth	14	-5	19

The FA Cup third round draw is on Sunday on ITV1 after the Histon v Leeds second round match that kicks off at 12.15pm.

Click here to buy the online matchday programme

TALKING TACTICS 
If Chelsea are to prevail in this match it will require a quicker, sharper start than the one we saw in France. Arsenal have struggled against teams who are quicker to the first and second ball, and a high tempo start has been a hallmark of the Blues' best performances this season away from home.

Four of the 21 goals Arsenal have conceded this season have come in the first 15 minutes. However, more than half have been let in during the last half hour of games.

The players who have scored Chelsea's previous six goals against the Gooners, Didier Drogba (4) and Michael Essien (2) are unavailable this weekend. Without Drogba's power, Chelsea's chances are likely to come from players such as Anelka, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole getting in behind an Arsenal defence that has looked shambolic recently. Arsenal's back five have also proved highly susceptible to crosses into the box.

Occasionally this season Arsenal have switched from their traditional 4-4-2 when worried about the opposition's power in midfield. At home to Manchester Utd and Aston Villa, Wenger set his team out in a 4-4-1-1 with midfielder Abou Diaby playing just behind lanky Dane Nicklas Bendtner.

He may well do the same on Sunday afternoon, although the likelihood is that main striker Emmanuel Adebayor will return from injury, along with right-back Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri.

The lightweight but skilful Nasri has been missed by Wenger, who has tried Diaby and Denilson in left-midfield in his absence.

Ahead of this vital game, against Dynamo Kiev in midweek, the Frenchman put the physically imposing but unadventurous Johan Djourou in at right-back and asked Alexandre Song to play the defensive midfield role to loosen up newly-installed skipper Fabregas.

The tricky and elusive Carlos Vela (pictured below) was paired with Robin Van Persie upfront, with goalscorer Bendtner coming on for right midfielder Ramsey.

WE HAVE HISTORY
It was Didier Drogba at the double in this game last season, the Ivorian at the peak of his powers, bullying Toure and Gallas to overturn Sagna's goal. The result virtually killed off Arsenal's title challenge at the end of March.

We are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in five meetings in all competitions against the Gunners (two wins, three draws). Chelsea first met (Woolwich) Arsenal at the Bridge 101 years ago this month. Chelsea won 2-1, with a brace from George 'Gatling Gun' Hilsdon in front of a 55,000 crowd.

William Gallas made his 300th start for Arsenal and Chelsea on Tuesday against Dynamo Kiev. Nicolas Anelka will be playing against the club he quit in August 1999.

Our last home defeat against the Gunners was on February 21 2004. Eidur Gudjohnsen scored his first against Arsenal after 29 seconds from Gérémi's cross. 14 minutes later Arsenal hit back with two goals in six minutes from Patrick Vieira and Edu. Gudjohnsen was sent off in the second half for two yellows.

Our Premier League record at Stamford Bridge against Arsenal is as follows:
1992/93 Chelsea won 1-0
1993/94 Arsenal won 2-0
1994/95 Chelsea won 2-1
1995/96 Chelsea won 1-0
1996/97 Arsenal won 3-0
1997/98 Arsenal won 3-2
1998/99 Drew 0-0
1999/00 Arsenal won 3-2
2000/01 Drew 2-2
2001/02 Drew 1-1
2002/03 Drew 1-1
2003/04 Arsenal won 2-1
2004/05 Drew 0-0
2005/06 Chelsea won 1-0
2006/07 Drew 1-1
2007/08 Chelsea won 2-1

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING MATCH
Chelsea 2 Arsenal 1
Premier League, Sunday March 23rd 2008 at Stamford Bridge
Referee Mark Clattenburg
Crowd 41,824

Chelsea Manager Avram Grant.  Cudicini Essien     Carvalho      Terry (c)          A Cole  Ballack        Makelele      Lampard J Cole             Drogba              Kalou  Substitutes Belletti for Ballack (70), Anelka for Makelele (70) Mikel for J Cole (88)  Scorers Drogba 73, 81 Booked Ballack, Drogba, J Cole  Adebayor       Van Persie  Flamini            Fàbregas       Hleb             Eboué Clichy          Gallas (c)        Touré              Sagna  Almunia Manager Arsène Wenger  Arsenal Substitute Diaby for Sagna (72), Walcott for Van Persie (76), Bendtner for Flamini (88) Scorer Sagna 59 Booked Eboué

Other match last season
16 Dec 2007 Premier League
Arsenal..........1 Chelsea..........0
Gallas 45              Att: 60,139

Chelsea v Arsenal in all competitions
Games played 168
Chelsea wins 49
Arsenal wins 68
Draws 51

Head to head in the League at Stamford Bridge
Games played 71
Chelsea wins 23
Arsenal wins 23
Draws 25

Biggest league win at Stamford Bridge for each team
27/09/1969 Chelsea 3-0 Arsenal
29/11/1930 Chelsea 1-5 Arsenal

CHELSEA STATS
The Blues have not conceded more than one goal in a league match for 22 games, the longest current run of any Premier League club, since the 4-4 draw at White Hart Lane in March.

We have not conceded a goal in the Premier League for over nine hours since Xabi Alonso's winner and are still the only club not to have conceded a league goal in the second half.

Chelsea have not lost when scoring first in the Premier League since the 1-2 defeat at Tottenham in November 2006.

Our defeat against Liverpool five weeks ago is our only home league defeat in 89 matches since Arsenal won here on February 21st 2004.

Chelsea's last six games

Nov 4	Roma A	L 1-3 Champions League
Nov 9	Blackburn A	W 2-0
Nov 12	Burnley H	D 1-1 League Cup (lost 4-5 on pens aet)
Nov 15	WBA A	W 3-0
Nov 22	Newcastle H	D 0-0
Nov 26	Bordeaux A	D 1-1 Champions League

2008/09 Premier League scorers
Anelka 12, Lampard 5 (1 pen), Belletti 2, Bosingwa 2, J Cole 2, Deco 2, Kalou 2, Malouda 2, Alex 1, Carvalho 1, own goal 1 (Wheater, Middlesbrough). Total 32.

MILESTONES
Nicolas Anelka needs a brace to achieve 100 Premier League goals for his five clubs: Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Bolton and Chelsea.

If selected, three players will achieve milestones on Sunday: Paulo Ferreira will make his 150th, John Mikel Obi his 100th and Alex his 50th Chelsea appearance in all competitions.

If John Terry scores he will become our all-time highest-scoring defender with 35.

Congratulations to Michael Essien who celebrates his 26th birthday on Wednesday.

GUNNERS STATS
Arsenal have conceded 18 Premier League goals and kept four clean sheets compared to Chelsea's four conceded and 10 shutouts.

They are third highest scorers together with Man Utd on 25. Only Man City (29) and Chelsea (32) have scored more.

Arsenal's defeat at Man City last Saturday that followed the 0-2 reverse against Aston Villa was the first occasion they have suffered back to back defeats in 59 Premier League matches since enduring three in a row in March and April 2007.

They have won four points from the last possible 15 and have already lost five league games this season to Fulham (a), Hull (h), Stoke (a), Aston Villa (h) and Man City (a).

Arsenal have won the Premier League three times in 1997/98, 2001/02 and 2003/04. Their last piece of silverware was the FA Cup in 2005 when they defeated Man Utd on penalties at the Millennium Stadium.

ARSENAL IN THE PREM

	Pts	Pos
1992/93	56	10th
1993/94	71	4th
1994/95	51	12th
1995/96	63	5th
1996/97	68	3rd
1997/98	78	1st
1998/99	78	2nd
1999/00	73	2nd
2000/01	70	2nd
2001/02	87	1st
2002/03	78	2nd
2003/04	90	1st
2004/05	83	2nd
2005/06	67	4th
2006/07	68	4th
2007/08	83	3rd

MOST RECENT PREMIER LEAGUE LINE-UP
Saturday November 22, Man City (away) L 0-3

Almunia (c)  Hoyte           Djourou       Silvestre       Clichy Diaby      Denilson            Song          Nasri  Van Persie          Bendtner Substitutes: Ramsey for Hoyte (60), Vela for Diaby (69),

On Tuesday, Nicklas Bendtner scored the winner with three minutes left against Dynamo Kiev to ensure qualification to the round of 16 of the Champions League. Team (4-4-2): Almunia; Djourou, Gallas, Silvestre, Clichy; Ramsey (Bendtner 68), Fàbregas (c), Song, Denilson; Van Persie, Vela (Wilshere 77).

The Gunners' previous six games

Nov 5	Fenerbahçe H	D 0-0 Champions League
Nov 8	Man Utd H	W 2-1
Nov 11	Wigan H	W 3-0 League Cup
Nov 15	Aston Villa H	L 0-2
Nov 22	Man City A	L 0-3
Nov 25	Dynamo Kiev H	W 1-0 Champions League

2008/09 Premier League scorers
Adebayor 5 (1 pen), Van Persie 5 (1 pen), Nasri 4, Denilson 2, Bendtner 1, Clichy 1, Eboué 1, Fàbregas 1, Gallas 1, Silvestre 1, Walcott 1, own goals 2 (McShane, Hull and Faubert, West Ham). Total 25

Arsenal's manager this decade
Arsène Wenger - Sep 1996 to date


NEW BOYS
Arsenal's major summer transfers

Ins Samir Nasri (Marseille, undisclosed), Mikaël Silvestre (Man Utd, undisclosed), Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff, £5m), Amaury Bischoff (Werder Bremen, undisclosed). Outs Alexander Hleb (Barcelona £11.8m), Justin Hoyte (Middlesbrough, £3m), Gilberto (Panathinaikos, £1m), Jens Lehmann (Stuttgart, free), Mathieu Flamini (AC Milan, free), Armand Traoré (Portsmouth, season long loan), Philippe Senderos (AC Milan, season long loan).

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE
The referee is Mike Dean. It's his first Chelsea game since the opening day 4-0 thumping of Portsmouth. His one Arsenal game of the season was their 4-0 win at Blackburn.

OTHERWISE ENGAGED
Didier Drogba serves his second of his three match ban that will finish at Bolton next week. There are no Arsenal suspensions. Fàbregas is available again following his suspension at Man City.