Arsenal have the chance to prove that they are back in business in the Premier League as they face Chelsea - live on ESPN2 at 07.30 ET on Saturday - but they will have to overcome their poor away record and become the first team to beat the Blues on their own turf this season.

Neither team has started the current campaign as they would have hoped, but without doubt Arsenal are the team under pressure. Having lost the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the summer it has taken them a few games to get back into their stride and a run of four straight wins has stopped the rot somewhat. However, the Gunners' record against Chelsea is not good and they have only been able to win three of their last 18 matches against Chelsea in all competitions.

Arsene Wenger's side are also in the midst of their worst away performance since 1992, as they have won none of their last eight games on the road. Contrast that with the fact that the Blues have picked up 31 points from the last 33 available at Stamford Bridge and it is an obvious mountain to climb.

Hope comes from the fact that Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight home Premier League outings, while in-form striker and captain Robin Van Persie is leading the side forward and has bagged 25 goals in 26 appearances in 2011. He has also managed to score 11 goals in his last 12 away games and the return of Thomas Vermaelen in defence means that he may less to worry about at the other end of the pitch.

For Chelsea, the suspensions that came after a shock 1-0 defeat to QPR last weekend have robbed them of Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa. Drogba in particular has enjoyed success against the Gunners in recent years, scoring 13 goals in 14 appearances against them, but in his place Fernando Torres or Nicolas Anelka will look to puncture a defence that has looked shaky this season.

Andre Villas-Boas has limited options in midfield with Michael Essien and Ramires not available, but Daniel Sturridge has continued to impress since returning from his loan spell at Bolton and netted the winner in the Carling Cup against Everton on Wednesday night. With Juan Mata having snubbed a move to the Emirates this summer, Chelsea's best hopes of attack will be down the left side as the injuries to right-backs Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson will see Johan Djourou or Laurent Koscielny called into service in an unfamiliar role.

Chelsea player to watch: John Terry. The spotlight, not for the first time, has landed on Terry after allegations of racism against QPR led to an investigation by the FA. When he's not courting controversy or skipping out on appearances at pet shops, Chelsea's skipper has been an ever-present for his club and his commitment to the cause has never been questioned. Terry is lacking the pace of old, but his leadership and organisational ability ensures that he is still a key player for the Blues.

Arsenal player to watch: Robin van Persie It really couldn't be anyone else, as the Gunners' skipper has been something of a 'one-man team' of late. Van Persie's goalscoring has kept Arsenal afloat and his technique and finishing touch up front have been a vital part of their mini-revival. Against a Chelsea defence that has struggled to keep clean sheets of late, the Dutchman's runs into the box and his ability to hold the ball up and create space for his team-mates will once again be the focal point for Wenger's men.

Key Battle: Daniel Sturridge v Gervinho. A loan spell at Bolton has done wonders for the young Englishman and he has returned to establish himself as one of Chelsea's first names on the teamsheet. With four goals in five starts so far, he is a potent threat and will be keen to prove himself further after being sacrificed when Bosingwa was sent off before half-time against QPR. Gervinho did not enjoy the best of starts to life in England as he was sent off against Newcastle on his debut, but has since become an important player on the wing. His close control and dangerous runs marked him out early on, but he often lacked the final ball. A performance against Stoke - where he scored one and made two - saw that seachange reinforced and he can now be viewed as one of the Gunners' most dangerous attacking weapons. To help with the threat of Sturridge, his defensive nous will also be called into question.

Trivia: The last time Arsenal went nine away games without a win was in April 1988.

Stats: Arsenal have won six times in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, more often than any other team. The Gunners have beaten Chelsea six times after falling behind in the Premier League, while the Blues have only come back to win once after trailing.


Match

no drogba good news

I trust my young gunz, They will do me Proud,

Arsenal won't know what hit them tomorrow

you wish

Hahaha so they would beat my Fav team tomorrow again, Arsenal would definitely recover from tomorrow beating, I live for and die with My team arsenal, Love them with intimate passion. Goooonerrrrssssssssssssssssssssssss

We never can tell, a repeat of Dec 27th 2010 might happen again.

arsenal stand no chance gainst any of the top four teams. top four teams include chels, man u,man city and spurs. they `ve been beaten mercilessly by two of them already. down ganners.

Chelsea all the way.

With the resent form of Arsenal team, i am of the opinion that they are going to handle chelsea.

Chelsea all the way

mukina2:

you wish

thought you were a chelsea fan,

UP CHELSEA!!!

randyorton:

arsenal stand no chance gainst any of the top four teams. top four teams include chels, man u,man city and spurs. they `ve been beaten mercilessly by two of them already. down ganners.

You forgot to include Liverpool who we have a woeful record against. As a fan, I dont expect anything from this team anymore. Watching our defence is like taking a weekly dose of sports comedy. Lets see whether that will change.

4th is best right? smh. How we have fallen, & fallen hard!

Lookin forward to the match

, we're so winning this, GO gunners!

I find this piece inspiring and beyond doubt, http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/10/28/2731568/from-the-pressure-on-john-terry-to-robin-van-persies-sublime

randyorton:

arsenal stand no chance gainst any of the top four teams. top four teams include chels, man u,man city and spurs. they `ve been beaten mercilessly by two of them already. down ganners.

top four teams include spurs In what league, sir? by all standards,
I beg to disagree

Babamide:

thought you were a chelsea fan,

abeg stop wild play

i am a gunner

@mukina. Did you get my email yesterday?

Babamide:

thought you were a chelsea fan,

Muki has Arsenal DNA in her.

mata,tores X2 sturridge, and lampard
nuff said

Chelsea should run riot against these gunners but our defense has been suspect too hence the no clean sheet this season.  But we are fighting really hard under AVB and that spirit will carry us through.  This is the difference under AVB versus Ancelotti because players know that their place is not guaranteed so they work hard.

Starting eleven

                                             Cech

Ivanovic       Luiz     Terry (old Man)        A.cole

         Mireles          Mikel             Lampard (another Old man)

Anelka                                                        Mata

                               Torres   

ARSENAL yesterday,Arsenal today,Arsenal tomorrow, go! my gunners, gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.if chelsea is the next mountain before you,level them and move on.

Tomorrow is almost here. Read all the juicy analysis on the big Saturday showdown on
http://mylatestfootballnews..com

Arsenal,, the borne shall rise again, but who will breath on them?

[center]             RVP

Gervinho                                     Ashavin/Ramsey                              Theo Wolcott/park/OX

                                  Arteta                                           Song

Santos                Vermaelen/Koscielny                    Mertesacker             Djourou/Jenkinson

                                                           
                    Szczesny 
[/center]
Up Gunnersssssssssss

milehigh06:

mata,tores X2 sturridge, and lampard
nuff said

. . . . . . all to be stretchered off . 


Theo, RvP and Arty . . . . . to get on the score sheet (no OGs)

a chelsea win

Great analysis! Irrespective of the absence of Drogba and Bosingwa, Chelsea will carry the day

arsenal should win this

Another 3points in the kitty for Chelsea. Torres to get a hat-trick