If Abou Diaby plays I expect much of the responsibility to fall on his shoulders to pull the Chelsea defence around with his driving bursts and bits of individual skill to make openings for Nasri, Van Persie and whoever else is trying to make a few yards of space in the penalty area

The enforced winter break is over and done with, we can finally get down to business and go for the throats of our rivals Chelsea at the Emirates this evening. Apologies if Christmas is more to you than exchanging gifts and eating twice your own body weight in two days but for myself, I am glad to get back to the Arsenal and normality.

It has been a full two weeks since we underperformed at Old Trafford, giving the squad almost a mini pre season training break, a chance to shake off any niggling injuries and time for the boss to team his selected eleven together at London Colny to get everyone feeling at ease with their roles and their nearest team mates.

Guessing which players will be starting now appears more difficult than it perhaps ever has been under Arsene Wenger as his largest squad is now almost clear of injury, certainly this has not been the case for some seasons now especially almost half way through the campaign.

Wenger has so many decisions to make all over the pitch. Jack Wilshere’s passing in between the lines to Cesc or the power and drive of Abou Diaby? Theo Walcott’s electric pace, keeping Ashley Cole back or the coin flipping of Andrey Arshavin? moments of brilliance or on the periphery of the game. Then again, Wenger could select the ball retention and graft of both Rosicky and Denilson.

As Van Persie has had so much time to work on his fitness, both on and off the ball, I cannot imagine that he would be left out of the starting line up without their being some sort of problem. Wenger’s recent comments about Chamakh being tired also points to the Dutchman being given the nod to lead the line.

Lukasz Fabianski should return in place of his younger countryman and rightly so given his fantastic form so far this season. Szczesny is a top quality prospect and he will get his chances in time.

In defence the only real section will be two of three central defenders. Arsene usually opts for the Squillaci and Koscielny partnership but with Johan Djourou available, Arsene has possibly the most physically dominating defender to deal with Arsenal’s nemesis, Didier Drogba.

I would like to see Koscielny and Djourou play together but Arsene may choose the more experienced Frenchman.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Abou Diaby

More than ever, it is really about the whole team. Every player will have to be on top of their game and fight for the right to play. The team will have to now allow Chelsea any time and space to try and feed the annoying pet they have leading the line. When we have the ball, we are likely to face a well organised and well drilled team set out behind the ball. Cesc Fabregas is often paid very close attention to by Michael Essien so if Abou Diaby plays I expect much of the responsibility to fall on his shoulders to pull the Chelsea defence around with his driving bursts and bits of individual skill to make openings for Nasri, Van Persie and whoever else is trying to make a few yards of space in the penalty area.

I expect Diaby and Cesc to be rotating around in the more attacking role which should give the likes of Essien and Mikel a problem in picking up our runners.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Arsenal 3 (Nasri, Van Persie, Arshavin) Chelsea 1

I do not believe that Chelsea will continue beating us forever, it has to stop at some point and if there is a time to do it then why shouldn’t it be this evening? We have 95% of our players fit and available, they are not in the best of form and we will be in front of our fans who should be up for this one.

The last time we beat Chelsea, Robin Van Persie struck twice at Stamford Bridge and it was the last time that Cesc and Van Persie both started against our West London rivals. We should see both of them from the beginning and hopefully they will show everyone that extra quality that we have missed in these big games.

I do not know what another defeat to our rivals will do to the team. It could do some serious mental damage to the players. We cannot allow that to happen. The squad is good enough, the are not too young. Our options off the bench are stronger than the current Champions. There should be no reason as to why we cannot win this game.

No excuses Arsenal. Show we are good enough to be Champions.

COME ON ARSENAL!!