The big games keep coming fast for Chelsea as they host Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on Sunday evening. It's an important game for the Blues against arguably the most in-form team in world football at this moment. It comes after a memorable 3-0 victory in the Champions League midweek over Barcelona, in which Chelsea ran out deserved winners.
But Arsenal is set to be an even tougher challenge for Chelsea, especially from a defensive standpoint, who are likely to be under fire from a range of Arsenal's incredibly threatening set-pieces.
The Last Meeting: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
In a drab game to say the least, Chelsea's last meeting against Arsenal ended in a disappointing defeat for the Blues prior to the March international break. It was a game where Pedro Neto was forced to start as a number nine, not for tactical reasons, but due to injury, as there was no Marc Guiu or Nicolas Jackson on the day.
To put it nicely, Neto had a miserable day at the Emirates. The winger got absolutely no joy at all. But neither did any of Chelsea's frontline. It always looked like a game that would be decided by a single goal, as the Blues just had so little to offer going forward.
It was another game where Enzo Maresca was without Cole Palmer, a player who had the potential to alter the outcome of the game. Luckily for Chelsea's head coach, Palmer is ready to be selected this time around. Prior to the upcoming game, the Englishman has only been available for half of Chelsea's games against Arsenal.
Mikel Merino was the man to decide the game for Arsenal. A makeshift striker himself, the Spaniard's looping header beat everyone, including Robert Sanchez, giving the Gunners the lead.
That was all they needed as an uncompetitive Chelsea side slumped to a defeat on the day. Fans will be hoping to see a lot more out of their side on Sunday.
The battle for midfield
If Chelsea want to get a result against the Gunners, then control in the central areas is going to be vital for Enzo Maresca's men. The Blues' midfield is incredibly strong. Led by the tireless Moises Caicedo, Chelsea have such a high calibre of talent to select from in the central areas, with Reece James being a viable option, along with Andrey Santos, Enzo Fernandez and the soon-returning Dario Essugo.
The problem for Chelsea, of course, is the incredibly high quality of Arsenal's midfield, Declan Rice being the biggest threat of all. The Blues simply have to navigate this. A big part of this will be using their home advantage to full effect, something they have not really done in recent seasons against the Gunners.
It is sure to be a tight contest in midfield between the pair, but certainly an important one, as it feels like a key aspect to claiming victory in this London Derby.
What would victory mean for Chelsea?
A win against Arsenal on Sunday would undoubtedly be Chelsea's biggest of the season, overshadowing the late win against Liverpool and the most recent victory against Barcelona.
Logically, of course, a victory would slice the gap between themselves and Arsenal in half to three points. The Blues would also move above Manchester City, once again into second.
But this would have so much more meaning than just three points for the Blues. It would serve as a further morale boost for a squad high on confidence at the moment.
But, perhaps more importantly than anything, it would make a statement as a team that can beat Arsenal in their current form, and should arguably be able to down anyone.