Arsenal vs. Chelsea: 5 Gunners Who Must Deliver Big Performances

Arsenal's encounter with Chelsea has huge implications on the top-four status of both teams. The Gunners need a win to rebound from defeat to Wigan Athletic.

An Arsenal recovery will be dependant on big performances from key players, some of whom have disappointed recently. Robin Van Persie is starting to show signs of the inevitable wear and tear that comes with leading the line for a whole season.

Yet the Dutch talisman will need to be at his best if Arsenal are going to break down a Chelsea back line which has recaptured its defensive resolution. Defensively for Arsenal, Thomas Vermaelen must carry the fight to the Chelsea forward line and left-back Andre Santos will need to stay focused up against Juan Mata.

Here are the five Gunners who must star against Chelsea and earn a crucial victory.

1. Andre Santos

How well Andre Santos copes against the right side of Chelsea's attack will be crucial to the success of Arsenal's defense. The Brazilian was victimised on several occasions in the first half of the season's first meeting with Chelsea.

The former Fenerbahce man struggled to cope with the pace of the game and Chelsea created many promising scoring opportunities from the right flank. Santos eventually grew into the game and found the confidence to go forward. He became a key man in several Arsenal attacks, netting a critical equaliser.

He will likely be up against tricky Spanish schemer Juan Mata tomorrow. The ex-Valencia star has performed well in recent matches and his ball skills and delivery from the right side can offer a crucial supply line for Chelsea.

The key for Santos will be to remain disciplined and avoid rashly diving in against a player as crafty and skillful as Mata. As a supplement to Arsenal's attacks, Santos can exploit Chelsea's weakness at right-back and could find himself on the scoresheet once again.

2. Tomas Rosicky

Tomas Rosicky was one of the few Arsenal players to emerge from the Wigan fiasco with any real credit. In terms of effort, Rosicky easily matched anyone on the pitch. The Gunners will need that same level of industry and application against Chelsea.

However, the Czech maestro must begin to find a more consistent end product to cap his energetic and direct performances. For a player who spends the majority of his time on the edge of the opposition box, Rosicky is not providing enough assists and goals.

He is certainly capable of doing both. Rosicky moves the ball quickly in tight areas and his runs off the ball are excellent. He needs to take more advantage of the positions he finds himself in and trust his natural shooting ability.

With Chelsea likely to crowd out Van Persie and smother Theo Walcott, Rosicky's ability to capitalise on any extra space he finds, will prove crucial.

3. Robin Van Persie

It's fair to suggest that Robin Van Persie has lost some of the spark which contributed to his sterling scoring run this season. He has set such a high standard that one goal in his last six games qualifies as legitimate cause for concern.

Arsenal will need their prolific skipper to regain the scoring touch against a Chelsea side sure to try and keep the game compact and snuff out any openings. Van Persie has been a match winner against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and his ability to use subtle movement to escape the attentions of John Terry will be vital.

Van Persie excels at lulling defenders by varying the pace and timing of his runs. If the Gunners can keep the supply along the ground, the Dutchman should find himself back in the goals.

4. Thomas Vermaelen

Thomas Vermaelen was Arsenal's best player against Wigan and more of the same will be needed against Chelsea's experienced forward line.

Vermaelen's job may be made easier by the absence of perennial thorn in the side, Didier Drogba. London24.com has confirmed Drogba will miss tomorrow's game with a minor knee injury.

That means Vermaelen will need to concentrate his efforts on stopping Fernando Torres. Vermaelen's tenacity will help disrupt Torres before he hits full speed. He can deny Torres the space he likes to fashion scoring chances.

The Belgian stopper will benefit from the return from suspension of Laurent Koscielny. Although Torres continues to struggle for form, signs of a recovery have been evident, so Vermaelen and Koscielny will still need to be at their best. 

5. Theo Walcott

It's once again time for the seemingly weekly call for Theo Walcott to play up to his potential. That means movement, movement and more movement from the too-often-static England international.

With Walcott it is not a question of talent, only of commitment. His pace and finishing ability mean that Walcott should be in the 12-15 goals range every season. Particularly in an Arsenal side built with the kind of players who can take advantage of the runs from elusive forwards.

Yet Walcott seems resistant to do this on a game-to-game basis. His goal in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa showed what is possible when he drifts in from the flank and makes central runs.

The threat he poses in these instances is considerable. One such run against Wolverhampton Wanderers earned Arsenal a penalty and led to Sebastien Bassong receiving a red card. The one and only time Walcott made this kind of run against Wigan, he might have won another penalty, following a dubious challenge from Maynor Figueroa.

Walcott has to start playing this way more consistently during matches. The likes of Alex Song, Rosicky and Van Persie can all find him with passes either in between or over the top of a defense.

He has a good record against Chelsea and terrorised Ashley Cole in their first meeting this season. If Walcott approaches this match with same appetite for success, he can be a match winner.

Win and Arsenal Will Seal Their Top-Four Place

Three points can all but assure Arsenal's place in next season's UEFA Champions League. However, Chelsea are enjoying a superb run of form at the moment and playing with the kind of confidence and solidity that had deserted them earlier in the season.

Contrast the buoyancy exhibited by Roberto Di Matteo's team with an Arsenal squad which has appeared flat at times during recent games. Arsene Wenger's side cannot expect a repeat of the rousing 5-3 win they earned at Stamford Bridge back in October.

Arsenal should not make the mistake of assuming Chelsea will be focused on the Champions League semifinal. If they do not start to pick up points in the Premier League now, Chelsea's own top-four hopes will rapidly disappear.

Yet the Gunners have outscored Chelsea by eight goals to four in their last two meetings, so have plenty of reason to feel confident themselves. With the games running out, an Arsenal win should see Wenger's team all but officially guaranteed a place in next season's Champions League.