Arsenal v Chelsea: five key battles

Chelsea face Arsenal later today and will be looking to maintain their excellent record against the Gunners in recent seasons. Here are five potential battles we think might be all-important.

David Luiz v Alexis Sanchez

With John Terry still unavailable, Luiz is set for another chance to press his claim as the skipper’s regular partner. All eyes will be on how he and Gary Cahill deal with Sanchez – the Chilean scored twice against Hull last weekend, adding to earlier goals against Watford and Paris St-Germain, and represents a real danger.

N’Golo Kante v Mesut Ozil

Kante has made an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge, showing great energy in a demanding solo holding role. Ozil created 19 of Arsenal’s 65 Premier League goals last season but has just one assist to his name this campaign. If Kante shackles the German, it could go a long way to keeping out Arsenal.

Alex Iwobi v Branislav Ivanovic

Ozil’s mantle as key creator has so far been assumed by an unlikely source – Nigerian winger Iwobi has only featured in three of the Gunners’ Premier League games but has managed three assists, two of them against Hull last weekend. Ivanovic will hope to use his experience to keep the 20-year-old quiet.

Eden Hazard v Hector Bellerin

On the other flank, Hazard – who like many of the current Chelsea squad has never lost to Arsenal in a Premier League game – will face an interesting battle against Bellerin, one of the quickest players in the division.

Diego Costa v Petr Cech

After recent hesitant displays by Thibaut Courtois and Asmir Begovic, some are asking whether Chelsea were too hasty in allowing Cech to move to their London rivals. The 34-year-old won the Premier League Golden Glove award after keeping 16 clean sheets in his first season at the Emirates, and he will stand as an imposing final barrier for a Chelsea’s attack led by that man Costa.