Arsenal vs. Chelsea: 5 Keys to a Gunners Victory

This weekend's Premier League London derby provides Arsenal with the ideal opportunity to prove that they have indeed turned a corner, following their horrendous start to the season.

There has been a lot of talk recently about an Arsenal resurgence.  While any victory is welcome, home wins against mid-table opposition and a European win over struggling opponents is not sufficient proof that Arsenal are back in a position to realistically challenge for the Top 4 and trophies.

The signs of a recovery are evident, but an away win over a strong and experienced Chelsea side, would be ample evidence that Arsene Wenger's team is on the right track this season.

Here are five keys to an Arsenal victory at Stamford Bridge.

5. Track the Runs of Frank Lampard

The main route to success over Chelsea is to win the battle in midfield.  The midfield is where the West London powerhouse is strongest and the Gunners need to be tenacious and intelligent on Saturday.

Identifying and tracking the runs of Frank Lampard is the top priority for Arsenal's midfield trio.  Alex Song needs to remain alert and use his athleticism and strength to stay with Lampard and offset the England international's considerable smarts and goalscoring threat.

Discipline and awareness are attributes Song needs to show in abundance at Stamford Bridge.  These are two areas where the combative Cameroon international has often struggled in the past.

But Song must work hard to maintain his concentration and control Lampard on Saturday.

4. Be Efficient in Possession and Keep Juan Mata off the Ball

Juan Mata has made a positive start to his Chelsea career and Arsenal must be efficient in possession and prevent the diminutive Spanish playmaker from getting on the ball too often.

Mata is adding a different dimension to Chelsea's game.  His technique and speed of thought are allowing the Blues to play with more flair.

The former Valencia starlet has been particularly effective between the midfield and forward lines and usually supplies the final pass to help round off an attack.

Arsenal's veteran Spaniard Mikel Arteta will be crucial in denying Mata the opportunities to expose the Gunners defense.  Arteta needs to use his calmness and composure on the ball to ensure that Arsenal's own passing is fluid and most importantly, efficient.

Arteta can lead by example and keep the ball moving for Arsenal and away from Chelsea's own schemer.

3. Man Mark Fernando Torres with Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal should look to man mark Chelsea's £50 million striker Fernando Torres, with the improving Laurent Koscielny.

Torres returns from suspension and will likely start in place of traditional Gunners tormentor Didier Drogba, who begins a suspension of his own.

Torres and Koscielny have both experienced early struggles in their respective careers with Chelsea and Arsenal, but both have also recently demonstrated the ability to become key figures for their patient clubs.  After a fine showing against Marseille, Koscielny can further endear himself to Arsenal fans by neutralising the threat from Torres.

As talented as Torres is, he is the kind of player whose style could better suit Koscielny.  The former Lorient man's strengths are in reading the game and anticipation.

Up against a quicker, more mobile forward like Torres, Koscielny can use these attributes to excel.

2. Use Theo Walcott to Keep Ashley Cole Back

Arsenal must use the pace of Theo Walcott to curb the attacking instincts of Ashley Cole.  Walcott needs to make plenty of runs to the inside of Cole.

Robin van Persie has the technique and creative instincts to recognise these runs and execute the necessary pass.

Walcott's speed presents a threat that is hard for Chelsea to ignore.  Arsenal need a committed game from Walcott and must supply a sufficient number of passes his way to encourage Cole to stay back.

1. Isolate Robin Van Persie Against David Luiz

If calamitous central defender David Luiz keeps his place in the Chelsea back four then Arsenal should do all they can to isolate Robin van Persie against him.

Luiz has consistently been rash and mistake-prone during his short time in the Premier League.  Arsenal's talismanic striker is in career-best form at the moment and has the quickness and technique to terrorise the former Benfica star.

If Walcott and Gervinho can succeed in subduing the Chelsea full-backs and force John Terry out of the middle to help, van Persie can proceed to get the better of the undisciplined Luiz.

Chelsea away is a very difficult fixture for any team in football to negotiate and much of the talk of their current struggles and the gap between themselves and the two Manchester clubs is greatly exaggerated and premature.

But if Arsenal want to prove that they are indeed built for success this season, a positive result on Saturday is the best way to do it.

The Gunners were a lot closer than the 2-0 scoreline suggested in the corresponding fixture last season.  More clinical finishing and disciplined midfield play this time around could lead to a hugely significant Arsenal win.