Arsenal and Chelsea head to Wembley on Saturday to battle it out for a place in the FA Cup final.
Back-four worries for Arsenal; Chelsea look to tighten up in defence
Arsenal and Chelsea head to Wembley on Saturday to battle it out for a place in the FA Cup final.
Both clubs have a strong recent history in the competition, having secured the trophy in seven of the past twelve years between them.
Chelsea's most recent success came in 2007, but for Arsenal their 2005 victory marked the beginning of a barren four-year spell that they will be desperate to break this time round.
And with the North Londoners seemingly out of the title race and facing a tough UEFA Champions League tie with Manchester United, the FA Cup may well be Arsenal's best chance of silverware this year.
History does appear to be on the side of Arsene Wenger's men for the competition as Chelsea have failed to defeat Arsenal in the FA Cup for over sixty years, including the 2002 final between the two clubs.
Moreover, Arsenal have won the only meeting between the sides this season - a Robin Van Persie double seeing off Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Team news
Despite their good form against their rivals, Arsenal will have to overcome further injury problems at the back if they wish to maintain their long-held record over Chelsea.
Kieran Gibbs is a doubt with a groin problem picked up against Villarreal on Wednesday, while Bacary Sagna has been ruled out after failing to shake-off the virus that kept him out of his side's Champions League tie.
With Gael Clichy, Johann Djourou and William Gallas also out injured, Arsene Wenger could shift Mikael Silvestre to the left-back slot and bring in Alex Song to fill the centre-back vacancy alongside Kolo Toure.
Meanwhile, options further up the pitch are far more plentiful for Arsenal, with Andrey Arshavin and Eduardo available to complement the in-form trio of Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adeybayor and Theo Walcott.
Arshavin is likely to make the line-up after being cup-tied in Europe, and Eduardo will be hoping to have finally shaken off a series of injury problems to take his place on the bench.
Defensive Blues
Chelsea are likely to stick with a similar starting XI that secured a 4-4 Champions League draw with Liverpool in midweek, although the return of John Terry to the defence will be a welcome inclusion.
The Blues have shipped a worrying seven goals in their last two games, but regardless of the statistics, manager Guus Hiddink is likely to return to the back four that almost capitulated to Bolton in the league.
Branislav Ivanovic should retain his place at right-back as Jose Bosingwa continues to struggle with a hamstring strain, and John Terry will return to the line-up in place of Alex after serving a one-match ban in Europe.
Up front, Hiddink may opt to start Nicholas Anelka in place of Salomon Kalou in light of the striker's impressive substitute appearance against Liverpool.
The Chelsea boss may also take into account Anelka's history with their opponents, while fellow former Gunner Ashley Cole will once again line-up against the club he left so acrimoniously in 2006.
Possible starting XIs:
Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Toure, Song, Silvestre, Walcott, Diaby, Arshavin, Fabregas, Van Persie, Adebayor.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Anelka, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Drogba.
