Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Preview and Analysis of the London Derby

Monday night Arsenal take on Chelsea in what may prove to be an extremely important clash for both teams.  Arsenal are currently third in the table behind both the Manchester teams while Chelsea occupy the fourth spot. 

The last time the two teams met, Chelsea triumphed over the Gunners 2-0, thanks to goals from Drogba and Alex. This match will prove to be pivotal in the title ambitions of each team and both teams come into the fixture on the back of some poor runs of form.

Both teams have started engaging in the pre-match mind games with Ancelotti stating that Drogba will be back to his best in the game against Arsenal.

The game promises to be a mouthwatering London derby and looks to be an intense and exhilarating contest.

Arsenal- Expected Starting Line Up

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ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: (L-R) Bacary Sagna, Andrei Arshavin, Laurent Koscielny and Marouane Chamakh walk out to the Arsenal Training Session at London Colney on December 15, 2010 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Imag

Arsenal's captain, Cesc Fabregas is back from injury and so too is goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Thomas Vermaelen is still out with a mysterious Achilles heel injury. Robin Van Persie looks all set to just make his second start in the Premier League this season. This would mean that Chamakh would be demoted to the bench especially since the two haven't looked great together and overall, Van Persie is the better finisher.

Starting line-up

Lukasz Fabianski

Laurent Koscielny

Sebastian Squillaci

Gael Clichy

Bacary Sagna

Alex Song

Jack Wilshere

Samir Nasri

Cesc Fabregas

Andrei Arshavin

Robin Van Persie

Substitutes:

Wojciech Szczesny, Johan Djourou, Marouane Chamakh, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky, Denilson, Nicklas Bendtner

Chelsea: Expected Starting Line Up

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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Frank Lampard of Chelsea warms up at half time prior to making his second half comeback from injury during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at White Hart Lane on December 12, 2010 in Lo

Frank Lampard looks all set to make his much anticipated return back into the Chelsea starting line up. John Terry will be partnering Ivanovic at the heart of the Chelsea defense with Alex still out injured which means that Paulo Ferraira will continue at right back.

Starting Line Up

Petr Cech

Ashley Cole

Paulo Ferraira

John Terry

Ivanovic

John Obi Mikel

Michael Essien

Frank Lampard

Florent Malouda

Didier Drogba

Nicolas Anelka

Substitutes:

Ross Turnbull, Ramires, Boswinga, Kalou, Sturridge, Kakuta, Van Aanholt

Arsenal: Key Player

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ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Robin van Persie of Arsenal during training at London Colney on December 7, 2010 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

ROBIN VAN PERSIE

Many might have expected Samir Nasri to be Arsenal's most important player, but in my opinion it would have to be Van Persie. In most matches against top opposition, Arsenal generally create chances but lack the killer instinct in front of goal. In Arsenal's last three losses, against Chelsea, Van Persie didn't play due to injury.

This Monday, he looks all set to make his second Premier League start of the season. Van Persie also scored two goals in Arsenal's last win over Chelsea when the beat the Blues 2-1 at the Bridge. Over the last couple of years, Van Persie has evolved as a player and has the ability to produce those moments of brilliance that can turn a match on its head. 

 Van Persie possess the ability to bring in teammates into the game and his off the ball movement will make life hard for the Chelsea back four. Van Persie also brings experience and leadership on the pitch. 

Another reason why he is so vital is also because his delivery during set-pieces. Van Persie has a great delivery from free-kicks and is equally potent from free-kicks. 

If Arsenal are to win this one they will require Van Persie to be at his magical best and will require that their chances be taken with aplomb.

Chelsea: Key Player

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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Didier Drogba of Chelsea reacts after taking a penalty kick, which is saved by Spurs Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at White Hart Lane on December 12,

If there is one man who can single handedly take down the Gunners, it has to be the Ivorian Didier Drogba. He has managed to find the net 13 times in his 13 games against the Gunners, including 5 in his last three meetings with Gunners in the league. The last time the two sides met at the Emirates, a Drogba brace sealed the win for Chelsea.

Drogba's physical presence and strength is what makes him so deadly against Arsenal. The Arsenal defense struggle to cope with his presence up front and are often run ragged and are tormented by the striker.

Drogba has struggled in the last few weeks, but slowly seems to be coming back to his best and Chelsea will require him to be firing on all cylinders if they are to pick up their first win in 6 matches.

Arsenal: Form Guide

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Tomas Rosicky of Arsenal is pursued by Nani of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 13, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ale

Form Guide: LWWLWW

If there is one word that best describes Arsenal this season it has got to be inconsistency. The Gunners have struggled to put together a string of good results losing thrice at home. One of Arsene Wenger's main worries will be Arsenal's poor home form. Arsenal have suffered shock losses to Newcastle and West Brom.

Whenever Arsenal manage a good win they end up putting in a disappointing performance. Arsenal have already lost 5 times this season and yet find themselves at third in the table. Arsenal's last league game was a poor 1-0 loss to Manchester United. Before that Arsenal managed two hard fought wins over Aston Villa and Fulham. Arsenal have not reached their peak yet this season and have been scrappy at times.

Even certain players have shown signs of inconsistency with Andrei Arshavin dazzling and frustrating in equal measure throughout the season. 

Arsenal will have to drastically improve their home form and what better way than start with a win over eternal rivals, Chelsea.

Chelsea: Form Guide

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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: John Terry of Chelsea controls the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at White Hart Lane on December 12, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Form Guide: DDDLLW

Chelsea got off to the best start possible as they continued from where they left off last season, scoring for fun and dominating matches. They won their first 5 matches scoring 21 and conceding just one. 

But lately things have started to go downhill for the Blues. Their last win was a 1-0 win over Fulham and have lost 2 and drawn 3 following that fixture. Chelsea's last 3 fixtures have been 1-1 draws against Newcastle, Everton and Tottenham. Before that Chelsea had two shock defeats against Birmingham and Sunderland.

This poor run of form has brought Chelsea back to Earth and has raised some serious questions about Chelsea's depth in squad and over Ancelloti's control over the dressing room.

Chelsea will be hoping to end their poor form with a win over arch rivals, Arsenal.

Arsenal: What They Need To Do To Win

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ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Samir Nasri looks on during the Arsenal Training Session at London Colney on December 15, 2010 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Arsenal will want to finally notch up a win against the 'Big Two' of English football, after going 11 games without beating the two sides. Arsenal will have to adapt and be willing to defend stoutly at the back if they are to win this. Arsenal have shown a tendency to crumble when under pressure and they will have to be willing to fight it out with the likes of Drogba at the back. 

They will have to be clinical and sharp in front of goal and not just have lots of possession with no end result. But the main thing that seems to be holding Arsenal back is their big game mentality. Like Fabregas recently said Arsenal should not be afraid of losing and should incorporate a more clinical touch to their game.

Arsene Wenger will also have to make the right substitutions. Arsenal will have the likes of Walcott, Chamakh on the bench and Wenger should bring them on if necessary.

For Arsenal the key will be to adapt and defend.

Here is guide to what Arsenal will have to do to win.

Chelsea: What They Need To Do To Win

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Didier Drogba of Chelsea is challenged by Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on October 3, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Get

Chelsea will want to desperately win this one and get their title challenge back on track. The best way for them to exploit Arsenal's defense will be through Drogba. Arsenal have found Drogba extremely tough to handle and Chelsea will have to look to bombard the Arsenal box with balls for Drogba to attack and try to put as much pressure as possible on the Arsenal back-line.

Squillaci has proven to be slow this season and Chelsea should look to exploit the gaps in Arsenal's defense. Another weak link in Arsenal's defense is Clichy. Although the Frenchman was touted to be the next big thing, all of a sudden he has struggled in the big matches.

Chelsea have to be aware that this is one of Arsenal's fittest squads with only Vermaelen missing and will be no pushover like some of their recent games.

Chelsea will have to be content with sitting back and defending and looking to kill off Arsenal on the counter. If they manage to do that, they can beat Arsenal in their own backyard.

Prediction

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Michael Essien of Chelsea is challenged by Samir Nasri of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on October 3, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Im

Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea

 Arshavin       Anelka

I am going for a draw when the two sides meet on Monday. Arsenal don't have the fire power up front to score more than a goal against Chelsea. I expect Arshavin to have a good game with especially Ferraira at Right Back. Arshavin always has a good game after a break and the break due to the weather conditions would have done him a world of good.

For Chelsea despite all the positive talk, they are far from being their best and are still looking shaky. Koscielny has proved that when it comes to a big match, he is no slouch. He was fairly good dealing with Rooney and Drogba in his two meetings and expect him to keep Drogba under control once again.

Expect this match to be an evenly contested battle with both teams creating plenty of chances and the defense having a tough and busy time. Arsenal will most likely dominate possession and Chelsea will look to hit them on the break. 

It will be a fiery, open and an absolutely fantastic contest between two of London's finest.