Arsenal vs Chelsea Preview

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker is doubtful for Sunday’s match against Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea because of an ankle injury.

Gabriel Paulista is ready to come at centre-half, while goalkeeper David Ospina and full-backs Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal are expected to return having sat out last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Reading at Wembley.

Captain Mikel Arteta (ankle) and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) are still not match fit.

Arsenal will be out to beat Chelsea for the first time since October 2011, when Robin van Persie netted a hat-trick in a remarkable 5-3 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Boss Arsene Wenger, though, has every confidence his side can again answer another stern examination.

“From a good run of form you get a good belief and we have a good solidarity,” he said.

“We know that we have passed many tests recently where we were questioned. This season is the first time we have won away from home against Manchester City.

“So we have passed many tests and we have another on Sunday that we want to pass.”

Wenger added: “Chelsea have been very, very efficient on counter-attacks, very efficient on set-pieces as well, so to nullify their strengths will be important.”

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho sees no reason why Cesc Fabregas should not be afforded a good reception on his return to Arsenal.

The former Arsenal captain, who returned to London after three years in Barcelona to join Chelsea last summer, is closing in on his first Premier League title.

The Blues are 10 points clear of the Gunners and victory at the Emirates Stadium would mean three more points would secure the title, points which could come next Wednesday at Leicester.

Mourinho said: “Frank Lampard played at Stamford Bridge (with Manchester City) without any kind of problem and with a good reception. I don’t see a reason for Fabregas not to have the same at the Emirates.

“But, if he has some bad reactions, I think he’s one of the players who is more than ready.

“He played in Barcelona with an Arsenal shirt. Why can’t he play at the Emirates with a Chelsea shirt? I don’t see a problem.”

Arsenal, for whom Fabregas made more than 300 appearances in eight years, reportedly opted out of their buy-back option when it became apparent he could leave the Nou Camp and Mourinho moved swiftly.

The Portuguese added: “I know why he chose Chelsea. I don’t know why he didn’t choose Arsenal.

“I can’t speak about his time at Arsenal, the decision that made him leave, the decision that stopped him going back. I don’t know if it was the manager’s or if it was his decision. I really don’t know.

“I just know that we promised him we’d build a team very adapted to his style of play. That he was going to be an important player in our project.

“And that, normally, good projects always end with titles. He was looking for that. That’s all I can say.”

Fabregas and Diego Costa, who also joined last summer, have been key to Chelsea’s title charge, with the playmaker laying on assists for the striker.

Costa could be fit for Sunday’s match and displace Didier Drogba in the starting XI, while Loic Remy (calf) is definitely out.

“Didier for sure is good, is fine. Remy, not for sure. And Diego, let’s make a decision tomorrow,” Mourinho said.

Dominic Solanke is in reserve, having missed Chelsea’s under-21 team match on Thursday, and will be on the substitutes’ bench as back-up to Drogba if Costa is not fit.