Match Preview – Arsenal vs Chelsea

In the build up to Chelsea’s visit to the Emirates, Chelsea’s head coach Guus Hiddink has challenged his team to step up their defensive efforts as they look to extend their dominant record against Arsenal.

The champions are unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League since their 2-1 reverse to Leicester City in December, though they have conceded five goals in consecutive draws with West Bromwich Albion and Everton.

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, who head into the weekend top of the table, have not beaten Chelsea in the top flight since October 2011 and have gone more than eight hours without a goal in that run.

Hiddink has demanded an improved defensive display from his side as they aim to preserve that recent record and inflict a first home league defeat on the Gunners in 10 matches.

“It’s not just a matter of the four defenders, nowadays; if you don’t defend well starting up front then you are caught,” he said on Friday. “In the early days you can’t be so easily outplayed tactically.

“It might be a little bit different than in the past but I’m convinced the team will give its utmost to get the result. When you start you want to have results immediately. We want full results, it’s difficult to have continuously the winning mood. We have to perform now.”

Chelsea are 14th on the league table, four points above the relegation zone after a disappointing title defence that prompted the departure of Hiddink’s predecessor, Jose Mourinho, yet Wenger expects quality opposition on Sunday in what he considers a vital fixture in their own efforts to win the league for the first time since 2004.

“It is another game where people look at us and see how we behave because even if Chelsea are not in the best position you just look at their squad,” said Wenger. “It is a big game because of the quality of players on the pitch and it has a big importance to us because we play at Emirates Stadium and we know it will be important to win these types of games.”

Both sides have received welcome team news heading into the clash, with Wenger confirming Mesut Ozil (foot) will make his comeback from a foot injury, while Alexis Sanchez could also return from a hamstring problem.

Arsenal’s new signing Mohamed Elneny could make his debut in midfield but Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky (all knee), Jack Wilshere (leg) and Danny Welbeck (bone bruising) are out.

Diego Costa, who accrued a three-match ban for a clash with Laurent Koscielny in the reverse fixture, is fit to return for Chelsea, along with Belgium international Eden Hazard, though Hiddink admits the latter is unlikely to last 90 minutes.

Arsenal (from): Cech, Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Debuchy, Gabriel, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Elneny, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Ramsey, Campbell, Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott.

Chelsea (from): Begovic, Blackman, Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Rahman, Terry, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Traore, Willian, Costa, Kenedy, Pedro, Remy.

Match Appointments
Referee: Mark Clattenburg Assistants: J Collin, S Beck Fourth Official: J Moss