In team news, Chelsea welcome back Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel, the Nigerian expected to start his first match for over 6 weeks. However, Michael Essien is still carrying a long term injury. Chelsea also retain the prolific Didier Drogba, who has scored 10 in his last 11 against Arsenal, the Ivorian scoring against Hull midweek as well. Carlo Ancelotti has also confirmed that John Terry will start the match and as captain, citing that his behaviour is extremely professional and that in terms of training it has been “A very normal week”.

Arsenal on the other hand have more pressing injury concerns and while Abou Diaby is expected to pass a late fitness test to start; Eduardo, Carlos Vela, Fran Merida, Kieran Gibbs, Robin van Persie and Johan Djourou remain casualties. However, Cesc Fabregas has been in scintillating form, netting 11 League goals and notching 13 assists.

Wenger’s main concern will be his sides mentality against such physical opposition; with Sol Campbell fit it would make sense to play him and push Gallas out to the left, Clichy having a torrid time against Nani last week. This would at least give Drogba a physical equal and also give Ballack and Anelka something to think about with Gallas out on the left. Also, playing  Nicklas Bendtner as a centre forward and pushing Arshavin out to his more familiar support role would vastly benefit their goalscoring opportunities as most would think John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho will physically dominate the 1.75m tall Russian.

Ancelotti seems to have deffered to the 4-2-3-1 that Chelsea used under Guus Hiddink last season and with good results apart from the blip against Hull. The only problem with this system however is that Drogba prefers a second striker and that Anelka tends to disappear out wide, however Lampard becomes much more effective. With Mikel returning, it would be no great surprise to see a return to the 4-1-2-1-2 that was played earlier in the season.

Expected line ups:

Chelsea: (4-2-3-1): Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Cole, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba.

Arsenal: (4-3-3): Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelan, Clichy, Diaby, Song, Fabregas, Arshavin, Bendtner, Rosicky.

Score prediction: Chelsea have got a point to prove against Hull and have the physicality to play ugly when outplayed. Arsenal it seems do not have a plan B and a lack of mental toughness, this could be their undoing; or at least until they can find a reliable centre-forward and a gritty midfielder. In my opinion, Chelsea will be too strong. 2-0 to the Blues.

Credit to Birmingham, it was another impressive display in solid campaign thus far. They were unlucky not to get a point at Manchester United and had Arsenal nervous at the Emirates. But whilst they might have only got one point from the three matches, they’ve earned some respect.

Benitez finally found his first goal, while Jerome is proving some talent. However, the defence does need some work, especially after that first goal. But to get a draw at Anfield is a result one would think they would always take

However, it was Ngog’s theatrics to set up Gerrard’s equalizer was the big talking point post-game. If Eduardo’s dive in the Champions League was clear-cut, this was blatantly obvious. Ngog rounded Lee Carsley but fell to the ground as the defender slid in.

But Liverpool now sit eleven points behind Chelsea and are in genuine danger of missing the top four, much like Arsenal were at this stage last year.

In other news, the big game of the weekend was the Chelsea v Manchester United match blockbuster. Well it didn’t exactly live up to some of the other big games of the season, but after Chelsea were outplayed by United for most of the match, John Terry popped up for an invaluable goal.

The victory puts Chelsea in a great position as the clubs go into the international break with a five point gap separating them and closest rivals, Arsenal. The Gunners though do have a game in hand and have been in scintillating form since losing to the two Manchester side’s early in the season.

The Red and White’s smashed another four past Wolves on the weekend in a demanding performance. Wolves looked promising early, but once Arsenal got into their rhythm, the game was dead. First half own goals and a classic Arsenal goal through Fabregas seemed to seal things. Arshavin added a fourth until Wolves grabbed a consolation via Craddock.

Arsenal’s maturity is starting to become more evident after their contrasting previous seasons. The only thing opponents seem to be getting from the Gunners lately are consolation goals, and what will please the fans is that they have found the equation of how to kill of games after the 2-2 draw with West Ham a few weeks ago.

Arsenal and Chelsea’s good form sets up a blockbuster at the Emirates Stadium on 29^th November.

Burnley, meanwhile, picked up their first away point of the season with a come from behind 3-3 draw with Manchester City. However, the Clarets would have fancied their first away win after jumping to a 2-0 lead.  But in the space of fifteen minutes, between the 43^rd and 58^th, City went from 2-0 down, to 3-2 leaders. It seemed as if they’d come away with the points, but with four minutes left McDonald equalised to grab a point.

After a 3-0 loss to Arsenal last week, Tottenham bounced back to winnings ways against Sunderland in a 2-0 victory. Former White Heart Land strike Darren Bent returned to Spurs seeking to find his impressive goal scoring attributes he had already showcased this season. After Robbie Keane gave Spurs an early lead, Bent got his chance to take revenge on his old club with a penalty. It appeared to be a soft foul be Gomes, who got a yellow card for his efforts. But perhaps equalling the ledger, Gomes saved the striker’s attempt and sixteen minutes later Huddlestone secured victory with a solid strike.

Hull took some more weight of Phil Brown’s shoulders as Vennegoor of Hesselink produced a 90^th-minute goal to give the Tigers a 2-1 victory over Stoke. Already missing Geovanni, the task became harder when Mathew Etherington gave Stoke the lead. However the Tigers rallied and after equalizing through Olofinjana, the sending off of usually reliable defender Faye turned the momentum. As time was running out, Bullard pulled the trigger from distance, but Sorensen was only able to parry into the path of Hesselink for an easy tap in.

Elsewhere, Villa thrashed Bolton; unlucky West Ham went down to Everton, Blackburn made light work of Portsmouth, whilst Fulham and Wigan shared the points.