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Arsenal vs. Chelsea preview

With Manchester United easily beating Sunderland on Boxing Day, Arsenal are now five points behind the league leaders, while Chelsea are six points adrift.

Both are desperate to keep up with the title pace, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger describing the clash as a 'must-win game', while Chelsea counterpart Carlo Ancelotti has declared: "We don't want that gap (to United) to widen, so it's important to obtain an important result in this game."

History is on Chelsea's side, with the Blues having won the last five clashes between the pair, the latest a 2-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge in October.

The Blues have also won on their last three trips to the Emirates, where Arsenal have been less than convincing already this term, being beaten by Premier League newcomers West Brom and Newcastle, as well as arch rivals Spurs.

But, in the Gunners' defence, Wenger's side go into this clash in better league form, taking 12 points from their last seven top flight games - including four wins - while the Blues have only mustered six points, with just one victory, to see them drop from top to fourth.

However, Chelsea will by buoyed by an improved performance in the 1-1 draw at Spurs last time, while the third placed Gunners are seeking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba (L; 154.53 points FTBL Rating), who scored but also missed a last-gasp penalty in the draw at White Hart Lane, will be looking to continue an amazing run against the Gunners of 13 strikes in 13 games, including five goals in the last three meetings.

Team news

Arsenal are boosted by the news that midfield talisman Cesc Fabregas and striker Robin van Persie are available to make their first start together since August.

The pair came on as substitutes in the 1-0 loss at leaders Manchester United last time out but are fit to play from the start at the Emirates.

Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski returns to the squad for the clash, so Wojciech Szczesny is likely to drop to the bench.

Abou Diaby (ankle) is available, but Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Manuel Almunia (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (ankle) are all out.

For Chelsea, Portugal full-back Jose Bosingwa returns after being out for two weeks with a hamstring injury.After undergoing hernia surgery, England midfielder Frank Lampard was due to make his first start since August in the postponed clash with the Red Devils and should come back into the line up.

But Alex, Yuri Zhirkov and Yossi Benayoun remain sidelined.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Squillaci, Clichy, Sagna, Koscielny, Arshavin, Song, Nasri, Fabregas, Van Persie, Chamakh.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Cole, Ivanovic, Malouda, Lampard, Essien, Kalou (R; 87.64 points FTBL Rating), Drobga, Anelka.