By Matt Fortune
An away win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday would not only be the first in four years but would also likely bring the curtain down on Chelsea's title challenge.
Three points for Arsenal would see them move five clear of the Blues, and should Manchester United emerge victorious from the first leg of Grand Slam Sunday, Chelsea will be eight adrift with seven to play. However their record is a proud one and it has rarely looked under threat - Avram Grant's side smashed six passed Derby in their last home fixture.
Of course, the Gunners have already inflicted defeat on Chelsea this season. William Gallas' goal in December put Arsenal six points clear of the west Londoners - a similar result this week could have even more significant repercussions.
We asked Tim Harrison on the Kensington and Chelsea News for his take on Chelsea's most recent London derby, dealing with set-backs, question marks over tactics and how one former Gunner could be fresh and ready to hit top gear.
RECENT EVENTS
"The game against Tottenham was absolutely extraordinary. In
terms of the outcome it was pretty disastrous for Chelsea's
season. The general consensus after the game that it was probably
it in terms of the title for Chelsea. They needed to win every
single game from here on in to have any chance at the title and it
is a set back with two vital points dropped certainly. Arsenal and
Manchester United still to visit so it is still technically there
but that final equaliser by Robbie Keane, a beautiful shot that you
had to admire, was a set-back."
NEW FACES
"Anelka wasn't even on the bench in either of the last two
games. The big question mark over him is can he and Drogba find the
balance to perform together in the team? I suspect Anelka may start
against Arsenal because of the slight rotation policy Grant uses.
The big though hope, for Chelsea fans, is that Petr Cech will be
back and there is a slight chance that he will be. Carlo Cudicini
was certainly at fault with his positioning in two of the Spurs of
goals.
"There was also Ivanovic and Di Santo signed in the January but we have not been able to see either of them yet."
CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM
"Chelsea are proud of their home record and they love it, but
all records do have to end at some point and you have to say that
Arsenal are capable of breaking it. But, and Arsène Wenger
will have noticed this and will tell his players, after Chelsea
have suffered any set-back in the last few weeks they have bounced
back incredibly strongly. Look at the 6-1 win over Derby and the
4-0 over West Ham, they both came after the disappointment of the
Carling Cup and Barnsley.
"Also I have to say, at White Hart Lane the passing seemed to be back to form, a lot of neat one-touch passing."
CAUSE FOR CONCERN
"The attractive football comes and goes. There is a niggling
question mark over Grant's tactics under pressure and his
ability to shut up shop. He put on defenders at odd times and took
of key players - there was some disbelief that he had taken Joe
Cole off. The defence of set-pieces let them down at Tottenham and
oddly that has what has been the foundation of someone of their
successes."
TALKING TACTICS
"I think there were questions raised over the tactics late on.
Chelsea ended up with a five man defence which was rather
perplexing, something I have not encountered in the last year or
two. Alex ended up somehow sandwiched in the middle of the four. It
ended up with people not being entirely sure of who they should be
marking. Everyone was unfamiliar with the situation of trying to
pack the defence and it ultimately backfired. Some of the defending
at the end from set pieces was woeful."
