After Arsenal's clash with Stoke City was postponed, alongside a host of other matches, due to the hazardous snow currently engulfing England. The Gunners now encounter fierce rivals and genuine title contenders Chelsea, in a must-win fixture for both sides.
In what is destined to be a thrilling, powerful clash, Arsenal will be aiming to end a horror streak of four consecutive league defeats against their London rivals. Chelsea on the other hand are enduring a shock win drought. Carlo Ancelotti's men have not won in their last five encounters, there most recent victory came on November 10th against Fulham.
The Blues' lack of form has seen them drop from league leaders in November to fourth on the English Premier League table. Meanwhile the Gunners are currently second, a game ahead and two points behind Manchester United, the current leaders.
However Arsene Wenger's men are not in winning ways either, after consecutive league wins against Aston Villa and Fulham, the Gunners failed to overcome a rampant United, conceding a 1-0 defeat. However Arsenal now have home-ground advantage as well as hunger to break their notorious five-year trophy drought.
Albeit Chelsea have become Arsenal's bogey team in the recent seasons and Ancelotti's star striker Didier Drogba loves nothing more than scoring against the Gunners. Since 2008, the imposing Ivorian has scored seven times in six appearances against the Gunners and tormented Wenger's men in October when Chelsea managed a 2-0 home win against Arsenal.
But Arsenal were missing several key players back then and are now an invigorated side, but can they beat the old enemy? Let's predict the starting 11 for the Gunners.
Goalkeeper
Predominant goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who hasn't featured since September due to an elbow injury, has suffered a further blow and will not be fit until mid-January. The Spaniard's absence ensures Lukasz Fabianski, who had missed Arsenal's defeat to Manchester United with a hip injury, will continue his impressive dominance as Arsenal's No. 1.
Boom youngster Wojciech Szczensy, who was more than impressive in his recent Premier League debut against United, will have to settle for the deputy role on the bench.
Defenders
Arsene Wenger told Arsenal.com that defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen will not return to the first team fray until late January. The Belgium centre half has not featured since August due to a persistent Achilles injury. It was originally thought the strain would only keep Vermaelen out for a month but unfortunately the injury has worsened over time.
The 25-year-old's absence ensures Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscienly will continue to start as Arsenal's centre half. Although in-form Swiss Johan Djourou is also a chance to feature but Wenger is still wary over the 23-year-old's fitness.
French internationals Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy will start on the respective flanks with Sagna at right back and Clichy on the left. Ivorian Emmanuel Eboue will take the bench role whilst English international Kieran Gibbs is still nursing an ankle injury.
Midfielders and Forwards
Captain Cesc Fabregas has struggled in recent weeks with a hamstring injury but has been cleared as fully fit and is certain to start the must-win clash. The Spaniard will be the main playmaker starting as the right central midfielder. Fabregas will be partnered by Cameroon international Alexandre Song, who will take the defensive midfield role.
Song's contribution will be crucial as the 23-year-old has taken to becoming a more adventurous, attacking midfielder, ensuring the Gunners get caught on the counterattack too easily. Arsenal are also boosted by the return of imposing Frenchman Abou Diaby.
The French international has not featured since November after a severe ankle injury resurfaced. However Diaby is unlikely to start as he lacks match fitness. This leaves Tomas Rosicky, Denilson and Jack Wilshere all contesting for the last midfield spot.
However Wenger may revert from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 due to the occasion. This could see Fabregas and Song as the two central midfielders with in-form Frenchman Samir Nasri on the right with Russian dynamo Andrei Arshavin on the left.
The 4-4-2 formation would accommodate Robin van Persie, who only recently returned from an ankle injury sustained in September. The Dutch sharpshooter would benefit greatly from the 4-4-2 formation as it would allow van Persie and danger-man Marouane Chamakh to partner one another as the main strikers.
Both van Persie and Chamakh's presences, along with Samir Nasri, are crucial to Arsenal's potent attack and a 4-4-2 formation looms as the best way to harness and enhance the superb Arsenal attack.
Substitutes
The bench is highly dependent on the formation. With seven places on Wenger's bench, Wojciech Szczensy is certain to be the backup keeper whilst Johan Djourou the backup defender with Emmanuel Eboue.
If Wenger opts for a 4-3-3 then it is likely that Tomas Rosicky and either Denilson or Jack Wilshere, depending on who starts, will be the midfielders on the bench. Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott will be the impact substitutes.
However should Wenger utilize a 4-4-2 then Denilson, Wilshere and Rosicky along with Bendtner and Theo Walcott will be the substitutes with Szczensy, Djourou and Eboue.
So can Arsenal overcome a side that always brings out their worse? Will the Arsenal defence be able to contain Didier Drogba and his wingers? Can Arsenal finally stand up and emerge as genuine title contenders?
It's set to be a thrilling game.
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