Premier League Champions Chelsea welcome Community Shield holders at Stamford Bridge this weekend in a must-win game to rekindle their stuttering campaign.
In the recent past, the personal animus between Arsène Wenger and José Mourinho has redefined the rivalry between the two sides where the touchline hostilities have become more attention grabbing than the soccer action on the pitch.
The Champions are coming into Saturday afternoon’s game riding on the back of an impressive 4-0 victory over Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv in their UEFA Champions League campaign opener. The Blues were able to show some bit of sting and attacking flair as they managed their first clean sheet of the new season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, suffered a shock defeat against the Croatian heavyweights and will be looking to gain some respite by beating the defending champions.
Let’s look at some of the fast facts about Saturday’s London Derby.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal: Match Facts
Premier League champions are undefeated against FA Cup holders in their last seven encounters in English top-flight (W4 D3).
Arsene Wenger’s side have scored just twice in their last seven top-flight games against fellow Londoners.
Arsenal’s strike force usually fails to deliver against as bitter rivals evident by the fact that the Gunners are yet to score in their last four League encounters against the Blues.
Wenger successfully broke the jinx of not winning against Jose Mourinho in 14th attempt when his side thrashed the Blues the Community Shield (D6 L7).
Jose Mourinho holds a record of not losing lost successive league home games as a manager – Chelsea lost the season opener against Crystal Palace (1-2).
Chelsea striker Eden Hazard scored in last two Premier League fixtures against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Both the goals came from the penalty spot in the first half.
Arsenal striker Theo Walcott scored as many goals in his last 11 Premier League starts for the north London club.
The Gunners possess haven’t lost any of their last eight League matches on the road.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech have kept five clean sheets in their last seven EPL fixtures against Arsenal and four of them came in a row.
Only David James (169) has kept more clean sheets than Petr Cech (165) in Premier League history, with the Czech Republic international unbeaten in his last three league outing.
