PREMIER LEAGUE: STAMFORD BRIDGE, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2010. KICK-OFF: 1600 GMTCHELSEA:
Amid the fall-out from John Terry's complicated private life. Chelsea's title ambitions have largely been overlooked and both club and player will be grateful that attention will return to on-field, and not off-field, affairs.
Terry showed no signs of being affected by the daily diet of speculation surrounding his alleged relationship with Vanessa Perroncell, the former partner of England left back Wayne Bridge, against Burnley and Hull, but the defender will come under intense scrutiny following Fabio Capello's decision to strip him of the England captaincy.
The centre back can at least console himself in the knowledge that he will find himself largely among friends at Stamford Bridge and will no doubt have been cheered by the resounding backing he has received from manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti has made it clear Terry retains his full support as club captain and is confident there will be no dip in the player's form. "It is a normal week," said the Italian. "We are training, we are training very well. We played at Burnley, we played at Hull. Nothing is different about the last week.
"The problem that involves John is outside our training ground and it's a normal life for us. We are preparing very well for this game because it's an important game against a strong team. We will be ready to play our best game."
"John is focusing on his job. He's doing very well every day, every moment. He's the captain of this team so, with his behaviour, he's doing his best for this team. And also he played very well in the last two games. He scored against Burnley. He's in fantastic condition at the moment."
The unexpected midweek draw at Hull dented Chelsea's hopes of taking charge of the title race although victory over Arsenal will open up a nine-point gap between the two teams.
"Sometimes we have to accept the result, the draw," he added. "Sometimes it's impossible to stay at the top of your game. So we've accepted that result and we have to look forward.
"We have a very good opportunity on Sunday to send Arsenal further away from our position. To get distance from us. So I'm not disappointed about the game against Hull. We didn't play our best, but that can happen."
Strategy: Ancelotti faces the enviable problem of trying to decide whether to field Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, or both. Understandably, he will opt to use both his world class strikers against an Arsenal side that has appeared alarmingly brittle in recent weeks and it is hard to see the Gunners resisting Chelsea's superior firepower. The manager's main area of concern is the midfield holding role and is expected to return John Obi Mikel to the line-up following the Nigeria midfielder's spell on international duty.
Injuries: Juliano Belletti and Michael Essien are both still missing with knee injuries but left back Ashley Cole has recovered from an ankle problem and will face his former club.
ARSENAL:
Arsenal go into the derby knowing they need to avoid defeat at all costs - or risk being cut even further adrift in the title race.
The Gunners' 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United last week did nothing to suggest they can win their first piece of silverware in five years this season.
The defeat meant they lost more ground on league leaders, Chelsea and the gap between the two sides now sits at six points. Defeat at Stamford Bridge would extend that to nine points, which Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri believes could be too much to overturn.
He told L'Equipe: "Defeat is forbidden. That would mean the end of our title chances. But any other result would leave us in the running. We know that we can beat anyone. Maybe we put a bit too much pressure on ourselves before matches against big teams because we tell ourselves that they are decisive for the title."
Nasri has now recovered from a recent hamstring injury and the broken leg which has limited his involvement this season. The France international is now back up to speed and believes he is progressing as a player under Arsene Wenger.
He added: "I have progressed in all areas. Tactically, I know how to play on one side even though I remain convinced that I can play better through the middle. Technically, I'm much more fluid in the one-touch game. That wasn't the case at Marseille and I'm also more of a shooter in front of goal."
Strategy: This is a game that Arsenal must. A draw would keep them in the title race, but victory at Stamford Bridge will send out the right message. Wenger is likely to opt for his strongest line-up, so fit again Nicklas Bendtner will start in attack, giving them a more powerful edge in the final third of the pitch. The emphasis will remain on their passing game, however, while Chelsea will be more direct and their willingness to push men forward could prove too much for the Arsenal defence. As always in these top of the table affairs, the first goal will be crucial.
Injury Update: Arsenal are without striker Eduardo. The Croatia international has a hamstring injury. Wenger is boosted by the return of midfielder Abou Diaby while Sol Campbell has recovered from his groin strain. Denmark striker Bendtner is also fit.
