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Arsenal ready to lock swords with Chelsea again

Premier league leaders Arsenal face Chelsea again today fresh from their 2-1 FA Cup success at Highbury last weekend with Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell expected to be fit.

Arsenal, hoping to dash Chelsea's title ambitions by beating their London rivals at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1999, can take encouragement from the fact that they have not lost there in seven league matches since 1995.

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri concedes that defeat could finish his expensively-assembled team's title challenge.

"If we win, the gap is very close," the Italian said. "If Arsenal win, for us it will be maybe impossible because nine points are too many."

Arsenal have 61 points from 25 matches compared to 56 for second-placed Manchester United, who face struggling Leeds United at Old Trafford in Saturday's other early kickoff, and 55 for Chelsea.

Ranieri, however, has not yet given up hope.

"I want to see the next match on Saturday," he said. "Now I want to see my players show great will and a fantastic mentality, we need this now."

Arsenal do have injury worries with midfielder Gilberto Silva and full back Ashley Cole nursing knocks picked up on international duty. Ray Parlour and Sylvain Wiltord are also missing.

France striker Henry did not play in the FA Cup fifth round victory over Chelsea last Sunday and missed his country's 2-0 win in Belgium on Wednesday. England defender Campbell was not risked in Portugal as he battles a niggling groin problem.

But both should be in the line-up today, while Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, who has been out with a rib injury, has a slim chance of playing.

"Freddie could be available but he only joined up with the rest of the squad today so we'll see what I do about him," Wenger told the Arsenal Web site.

Chelsea could welcome back Irish winger Damien Duff, who trained with the full squad for the first time on Wednesday after being sidelined with an Achilles strain.

"For me he has made a big impact at Chelsea," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told his club's Web site. "It looks easy for him to go forward. I admire his running with the ball, his crossing and the fact he can finish right or left-footed."

Chelsea's Argentine forward Hernan Crespo is also in training after a calf strain and hopes to be fully fit, and defender John Terry, who pulled out of the England squad with a bruised shin, should be available.

Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is doubtful with the groin injury that caused him to be substituted during the Cup game at Highbury.

Arsenal's only defeat in the 1990-91 season when they won the title was at Stamford Bridge and their unbeaten record in the current campaign will be similarly tested by Chelsea's galaxy of expensive recruits who know that defeat could prove fatal.

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