Chelsea FC vs. Arsenal FC: AVB's Likely Starting Line-Up Against the Gunners

This weekend, Chelsea will face off against their North London rivals, Arsenal, at Stamford Bridge.

In a game that will see Fernando Torres return to Premier League action and an in-form Robin Van Persie eager to burst the Blues' bubble, the fans can surely expect a thoroughly enjoying match.

After a disappointing weekend for the Blues after a defeat to other London rival QPR and some controversy surrounding the club, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas and his side will look to add to the momentum they gained after a dramatic win over Everton on Wednesday in the Carling Cup draw.

This is AVB's likely starting XI to face off against the Gunners.

GK: Petr Cech

The always reliable Petr Cech will be the choice between the posts this weekend, as always.

His unexpected introduction in Chelsea's Carling Cup match against Everton on Wednesday evening was the result of a Ross Turnbull red-card. The Czech international was completely unprepared for an introduction, having not warmed up at all before coming on. And on top of that, his first task would be to face a potential game-tying penalty from the Toffees' Leighton Baines.

In the end, Cech showed his quality as one of the top keepers in the world, not only by saving the initial penalty kick, but also the rebound shot.

RB: Jose Bosingwa

After a relatively short game on Sunday versus Queens Park Rangers, where the Portuguese right-back was sent off for allegedly denying QPR's Shaun Wright-Phillips a goalscoring opportunity (and I stress the "allegedly"), and having served his one-game domestic ban during Chelsea's League Cup game on Wednesday, Bosingwa is set to make his return to the Blues' first team against the Gunners, having been Villas-Boas' choice as starting RB since his arrival.

CB: Branislav Ivanovic

Although not as frequent a starter as he was under Carlo Ancelotti, Ivanovic, I suspect, will get the nod over David Luiz at CB against our London rivals.

David Luiz over the past few weeks has shown himself to be a tad reckless and unwise in his challenges. He gave away what turned out to be the game-winning penalty in the Blues' game against QPR last weekend, and could very well have been sent off in that match.

As a result of this, I believe AVB will see him as too much of a risk in a match of this importance, and will field the Serbian ahead of him. The last thing we need is yet another game playing with 10 men.

CB: John Terry

The Blues skipper was rested on Wednesday to make way for his return appearance this Saturday.

Having already acquired 4 yellow cards in this campaign, Terry wasn't even on the bench for Chelsea's League Cup match against Everton on Saturday, as one more yellow would have meant suspension for the Englishman from this very important derby.

We'll doubtless see the man whom AVB dedicated the Blues' Carling Cup victory to on the pitch on Saturday.

LB: Ashley Cole

Terry's fellow England international, Ashley Cole, is set to face off against his former club on Saturday.

After serving a one match domestic suspension on Wednesday, incurred after earning his fifth yellow card this season against QPR, Cole will no doubt set out to once again get back at those North Londoners who already don't have too much love for their former player after his departure several years ago.

CM: Ramires

Ramires is slated to make his return to the Blues starting line-up this Saturday, after sustaining an injury a few weeks ago.

The young Brazilian's pace and liveliness were sorely missed against QPR last week, and he's starting to look a mainstay in Andre Villas-Boas' plans after a relatively lukewarm start to his career in the Premier League.

As I mentioned, he received a knock a few weeks ago and has missed a few games, but AVB has stated that the midfielder should be available for this weekend.

CM: Frank Lampard

Say what you want about Frank, he's still a quality player who adds a lot to this Chelsea side.

His scoring record in the past few games has been impressive, and after a small temporary dip in form when the campaign started, Lamps has been crucial in the Blues side.

Expect him to start against the Gunners, where experience and cooler heads will be necessary in a match of this caliber.

CDM: John Obi Mikel

Joh Obi Mikel is another Chelsea player who gets, in my opinion, alot of undeserved criticism.

People say he's too slow and lacks the vivacity of, for example, his younger counterpart Oriol Romeu. But the fact remains that Mikel's pass completion rate is very high. He's a defensive midfielder, and can't and shouldn't be criticized for not being attacking enough.

I expect to see him in the Chelsea side who's task it will be to keep the likes of Robin Van Persie and Co. silenced.

RW: Daniel Sturridge

It seems every time I write one of these, there's another slew of goals to report on for Daniel Sturridge.

After being sacrificed in Sunday's game against QPR after Jose Bosingwa's sending-off, Sturridge came back yet again on Wednesday night to add another goal to his scoresheet in Chelsea's League Cup match against Everton.

The young Englishman has proven his worth and is now an almost certain starter in AVB's Blues side at right-wing.

LW: Juan Mata

Like Sturridge, Juan Mata was also sacrificed in the game against QPR this past weekend, after Didier Drogba became the second Blues player to be shown red in that match.

It's no secret why Arsene Wenger was so hot on the Spaniard's tail this summer. Mata has been a burst of life in this Blues side, and will certainly feature in AVB's first team plans in the game against out North London rivals this Saturday.

CF: Fernando Torres

And last but certainly not least, Fernando Torres.

Torres is set to make his triumphal return to the Blues starting line up, after a three match suspension he incurred after a rash tackle in Chelsea's game against Swansea last month.

With fellow CF Didier Drogba out on a 3 match suspension, Torres will without a doubt be AVB's choice at CF in this match, His form of late has been impressive, after 2 goals against Genk, a goal against Swansea, and another against Manchester United over a month ago.

It appears more and more likely that the El Niño of old is returning, and Torres will no doubt be hoping to further prove his many critics wrong with a good performance against the Gunners.