---
title: "Arsenal vs Chelsea – match preview"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2016/09/23/arsenal-vs-chelsea-match-preview-3/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sam Tabuteau"
section: "Chelsea Match Previews & Reports"
published: "2016-09-23T15:49:07Z"
modified: "2016-09-23T15:49:07Z"
---

# Arsenal vs Chelsea – match preview

With both sides having progressed through to the next round of the EFL Cup, attentions will now turn to this weekend’s hotly-contested London derby – as Chelsea take on Arsenal at the Emirates.

Cesc Fabregas will look to come back and haunt his former club this Saturday – after his two goals against Leicester City put him firmly in contention for a starting berth alongside N’Golo Kante. New Arsenal signing and fellow central midfielder Granit Xhaka will meanwhile be looking to build upon his two excellent starts – which included a pair of stunning long-range strikes against Hull City and Nottingham Forest.

Chelsea will be hoping that John Terry is able to start against Arsenal – as he stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury that has seen him miss games against both Liverpool and Leicester City. The Veteran defenders return would be greatly received by the Chelsea faithful – having seen their side concede two goals in each of their games without Terry, as a result of some amateur mistakes from their makeshift backline.

Arsenal fans will be disappointed to hear that Aaron Ramsey is unlikely to return in time for Saturday night’s game, after his return to training was held up. Olivier Giroud is also an injury doubt for the Gunners, as he struggles to return from a toe injury he suffered against Southampton. Per Mertesacker, Danny Welbeck and Carl Jenkinson remain long-term absentees – whilst Kurt Zouma is still yet to recover from his knee injury.