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Pressure on Chelsea and Arsenal
ESPN staff
February 6, 2010
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Cesc Fabregas is sure to play a key part for Arsenal on Sunday
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With Manchester United thumping Portsmouth, the gauntlet has been thrown down to Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of Sunday's big London derby.
After a poor performance at home to Manchester United last weekend, Arsenal travel to Chelsea knowing they need a good result if they are to stay in the title race. Arsene Wenger is likely to name a similar starting XI to the side that lost to United last Sunday, while Chelsea will be keen to put a disappointing draw at Hull behind them.
Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has returned from the African Nations Cup and former Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole has shaken off a recent ankle injury.
Arsenal will be without Croatia striker Eduardo who has a hamstring injury but midfielder Abou Diaby could return from a calf problem.
In Sunday's other match, Birmingham take on Wolves in the Midlands derby. On-loan striker Craig Gardner was on the bench for the Blues' draw with Tottenham, and with just one defeat in 14 league matches, Alex McLeish's side are in good form, but have seen their squad diminished in the transfer window. After crashing out of the FA Cup in midweek, Mick McCarthy's side are a point above the relegation zone on goal difference, but will look to build on recent results, having picked up two points in their last two league matches.
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