Squad sheets: Chelsea v Arsenal

Last season's convincing wins for Chelsea over Arsenal gave the impression of a gulf between the sides, but Arsène Wenger's team had recorded victories against them in each of the two preceding campaigns. Both sides will lack established players, notably Frank Lampard and Cesc Fábregas, but the real trouble for the visitors lies in the absence of the injured Thomas Vermaelen. It was bad enough for Arsenal even when their best centre-half was in the line-up, with Didier Drogba scoring four goals in the past two encounters. Kevin McCarra Venue Stamford Bridge, Sunday 4pm Tickets Sold out Last season Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0 Referee M Dean This season's matches 5 Y 16, R 0, 3.20 cards per game Odds Chelsea 3-4 Arsenal 4-1 Draw 11-4 Chelsea Subs from Turnbull, Ferreira, Bruma, Van Aanholt, Zhirkov, McEachran, Borini, Kakuta, Sturridge Doubtful None Injured Benayoun (calf, 16 Oct), Kalou (thigh, 16 Oct), Lampard (groin, 16 Oct), Bosingwa (knee, 16 Oct) Suspended None Form guide LWWWWW Disciplinary record Y9 R0 Leading scorer Malouda 6 Arsenal Subs from Szczesny, Rosicky, Vela, Denílson, Djourou, Eboué, Eastmond, Emmanuel-Thomas, Lansbury Doubtful Diaby (ankle) Injured Almunia (elbow, 16 Oct), Bendtner (groin, 16 Oct), Vermaelen (achilles, 16 Oct), Fábregas (hamstring, 16 Oct), Walcott, Van Persie (both ankle, 23 Oct), Gibbs (calf, 23 Oct), Ramsey (broken leg, Nov), Frimpong (knee, Aug) Suspended None Form guide LDWWWD Disciplinary record Y11 R2 Leading scorer Walcott 4 Match pointers • Arsenal's record against Chelsea and Manchester United since their win at the Bridge in November 2008 stands at: P9 W0 D1 L8 F5 A20 • Arsenal have only been able to win two of their last 17 matches against Chelsea • Michael Essien averages 95 touches per game this season, the most in the division • Chelsea have fired in more shots on target than any other team (47), ahead of Arsenal with 41 • Andrey Arshavin has created 3.33 goalscoring chances per game this season – a divisional high