Chelsea vs. Arsenal: Five Key Players for the Gunners To Win Battle of London

Chelsea take on arch-rivals Arsenal on Saturday, which should be an exciting encounter. Chelsea are currently top of the table, with the Gunners four points behind them at third. Last year, in this corresponding fixture, Chelsea earned three points against Arsenal by defeating them 2-0, which gave them a massive lead over the Gunners in the title race.

Both teams will look to bounce back from disappointing defeats in the previous week. Chelsea lost to Manchester City at the City of Manchester, and Arsenal suffered a humiliating defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion. Chelsea will be the favourites for this clash, but Arsenal would not mind the underdogs tag, if it does help them play their natural game without pressure.

Arsenal will again be without defender Thomas Vermaelen, and it is likely that Cesc Fabregas will not start the match. It might be just too soon for Nicklas Bendtner, Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott to recover from their injuries, leaving Arsenal with an injury-ravaged squad, from which Wenger will have to select 18 players.

This match will undoubtedly have some of the best talents on display, and here are five Gunners who could make a difference in this tough encounter against the champions, Chelsea.

1. Samir Nasri

In the absence of Cesc Fabregas due to injury, the Frenchman has occupied the central attacking role, and he does not look out of place in that role. Samir Nasri has had an impressive season, so far, and was the lone star in the game against West Brom, scoring two late goals to set up a frenetic finish. The Frenchman was, presumably, rested against Partizan, and came on as a second half substitute in the game. 

However, he will be battling with one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, Michael Essien. Essien has been one of the most consistent performers for Chelsea, and Nasri will have his work cut out. He will need as much support from the wingers and Denilson / Wilshere to help him win the battle in midfield.

2. Bacary Sagna

Chelsea's Florent Malouda has been in sparkling form, this season, and it is one of the major reasons why Chelsea are at the top of the table. Malouda is among the leading goal scorers in the season, so far and presents a great threat for Arsenal, from the left flank. Ashley Cole's overlapping runs will also be a nuisance for Bacary Sagna, Arsenal's Right Back, who will have to deal with the dual threat.

Sagna has been one of the more solid players for the Gunners in defense, but he can be assured that he will get a thorough examination of his defensive abilities. Also, his runs down the right flank will be important for the Gunners as it offers them another option. His crosses from the right flank could be a problem for Chelsea's defence because of the presence of Marouane Chamakh.

3. Laurent Koscielny

With the impressive Thomas Vermaelen ruled out of the match, Laurent Koscielny will have to shoulder the burden of the task of keeping Didier Drogba quiet throughout the game. He would do well to learn from Vincent Kompany and Kolo Toure, who hardly gave Drogba any space throughout the encounter. Drogba has been a menace for Arsenal in the past, and has an excellent record against the Gunners, who have not found a way, yet to shackle the Ivorian.

Koscielny has shown he has got talent, and can be impressive on his day, but he will have his toughest test of his Arsenal spell, so far, when he comes up against Drogba. He has made mistakes against Bolton, Blackburn and West Brom, and if he does make any such mistake, expect Drogba to make no mistake in capitalising on the error.

4. Andrei Arshavin

Andrei Arshavin has not endured the best of starts to this season, but his stats are pretty impressive and he is Arsenal's highest goalscorer in this season, with five goals to his name. Arshavin is a mercurial player, who can change the entire game with a stroke of brilliance. Wenger broke the bank to sign the diminutive Russian, and believes in his quality.

There are signs that Arshavin is returning to his best form, after his impressive mid week displays against Spurs and Partizan. In the absence of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie, he could just be the inspiration that the Gunners need.

5. Marouane Chamakh

Marouane Chamakh was signed by Arsenal in the summer to bolster their attacking options, and he has blended, seamlessly with the Gunners. He has already impressed for the Gunners, scoring four goals, and also winning 4 penalties for the Gunners. He provides an aerial threat, which they lacked last year, and works hard to win possession for the Gunners.

Last year, against Chelsea, even though Arsenal had a lot of the ball, they lacked the cutting edge to trouble Chelsea, but this year, they have a good striker in Chamakh, who will also win many aerial battles. His duels with John Terry will be interesting, and whoever emerges victorious in the battle, could have a huge role to play in deciding this game.