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Final buildup: Arsenal v Chelsea - head-to head, team news and more

By Wires
Sports News Final buildup: Arsenal v Chelsea - head-to head, team news and more
APR 26, 2015 LISTEN

Arsene Wenger will attempt to end his Jose Mourinho hoodoo when Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, live on Super Sunday.

The Gunners, who have won more points in 2015 than any other Premier League side, find themselves 10 points adrift of Chelsea at the top of the table and their slim title hopes rest on victory over the Blues.

However, Arsenal, who lost 2-0 in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge last October, have only won two of their last 12 league matches against Chelsea and Wenger has never beaten Mourinho when the Portuguese manager is in the opposition dugout.

Mourinho will be hoping to extend that run to hand Chelsea a win that would take them to within three points of a first league title in five years.

The clash will also see former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas return to the Emirates for the first time as an opposing player and he will be hoping to add to his league-high 16 Premier League assists this season.

Team news
Per Mertesacker is doubtful because of an ankle injury picked up in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final win over Reading.

Gabriel Paulista is ready to come in at centre-half. Goalkeeper David Ospina, as well as full-backs Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal, are expected to return, having sat out last weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Reading at Wembley.

Captain Mikel Arteta (ankle) and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) are still not match fit.

Mourinho will make a late decision on whether to risk Diego Costa's fragile hamstrings at the Emirates.

Costa has missed the last two matches, but could return ahead of schedule in place of Didier Drogba, who is fit after an ankle knock, as Chelsea seek a win which would see them move within three points of the title.

Striker Loic Remy (calf) is definitely out, so Dominic Solanke could come on to the substitutes' bench if Costa fails to make it.

Head-to-head

  • This is going to be the 170th game between these sides in all competitions
  • Arseanal have beaten Chelsea 0n 66 occasions, with Chelsea winning 55 and 48 matches ended in draws
  • Arsenal have failed to score in any of their last four meetings with Chelsea (in all competitions). They have conceded 10 in those four games.
  • They have won just two of their last 12 league clashes with Chelsea (D2 L8).
  • The Gunners' last home win over Chelsea was back in 2010. Since then, there have been two 0-0 draws and a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League, along with a 2-0 League Cup defeat.
  • In the reverse fixture against the Blues back in October, Arsenal failed to have a shot on target for the first time in a Premier League match since September 2003.
  • Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is yet to beat Mourinho in 12 meetings ahead of his side’s top-of-the-table Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal

  • Arsenal are aiming for a ninth consecutive league victory. They have won their last 11 matches in all domestic competitions and their tally of 33 points in 2015 is higher than any other Premier League side.
  • The Gunners are looking for a 10th consecutive league victory at the Emirates. They haven't dropped points at home since losing 2-1 to Manchester United on 22 November.
  • It is over a year since Arsenal last failed to score in a league match at the Emirates - a 0-0 draw with Man Utd in February 2014.
  • Arsene Wenger has lost just five competitive home games by a 3+ goal margin during his tenure as Arsenal manager; three of those have come against Chelsea.
  • Olivier Giroud has scored 10 goals in his last 12 matches in all competitions.

Chelsea

  • Chelsea are looking for a fifth consecutive Premier League victory, which would be their best winning run of the season.
  • The Blues are aiming for a sixth consecutive away victory in the top flight. The last time they dropped points away from home was also in north London - a 5-3 defeat at Tottenham on New Year's Day.
  • Chelsea have scored in their last 19 league games - the only team to stop them scoring in any competition this season is Sunderland.
  • Jose Mourinho has never lost as an opposition coach against Arsene Wenger in any competition (W7 D5 L0).
  • Chelsea have scored first in all 20 of their games in all competitions in 2015.
  • Cesc Fabregas has a league-high 16 Premier League assists this season. Only Thierry Henry (20 in 2002-03), Frank Lampard (18 in 2004-05) and Fabregas himself (17 in 2007-08) have ever registered more in a single Premier League campaign.

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