Arsenal are set to be without two players this weekend, while their opponents Chelsea have five first-teamers out, according to reports.
The Gunners are two points clear at the top of the table having won 10 of their opening 12 games of the Premier League season, scoring 30 goals in the process.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s resurgence under Graham Potter has steadied in recent weeks, with the Blues now winless in three league games.
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Last week was particularly gruelling for the Chelsea faithful, as their club was demolished 4-1 by Potter’s former employers Brighton & Hove Albion.
Should Mikel Arteta’s side claim a win at Stamford Bridge, the two sides would be separated by a remarkable 13 points in the league.
Before kick-off Arsenal have been dealt a triple fitness boost, with Bukayo Saka, who picked up a knock in last week's 5-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest, fit to return.
Furthermore, Mohamed Elneny, who had been out with a hamstring injury, made his first appearance since August in the Gunners’ midweek Europa League tie against FC Zurich while Oleksandr Zinchenko returned to the match-day squad for the first time in a month.
However, Arsenal will be without the services of Emile Smith-Rowe. The attacking midfielder has not played since September due to an ongoing groin problem that required an operation.
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Smith-Rowe is not yet back in training and will not feature for Arteta’s side until after the World Cup.
Back-up goalkeeper Matt Turner was also absent from the squad against Zurich with a groan problem and won’t feature at the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are sweating on the fitness of Takehiro Tomiyasu after the Japan international was forced off just 15 minutes after coming on against FC Zurich on Thursday.
Chelsea will be boosted by the return of Mateo Kovacic who was a precautionary absentee for the Blues’ midweek Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb.
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However, Potter’s side are still without five first-teamers. Both Ben Chilwell and Denis Zakaria were casualties of the Blues’ midweek European fixture.
After the game, Potter revealed that it was likely bad news for Chilwell who will miss the Arsenal game and potentially the World Cup, while Zakaria could be okay for the Sunday fixture.
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Potter said: “Obviously, when [Chilwell] pulls up like that it’s a concern. Obviously, we need to scan it but it’s not positive at the moment.
“To see him pull up like that, it’s not a great sight. So fingers crossed when we get it scanned it isn’t too bad. It can be not as severe but we have to cross our fingers at the moment.
“[Zakaria] just got a kick. Just the contact. He was fine. No problems with him.”
Meanwhile, Potter played down a foot injury suffered by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga but revealed the Spain international would not be available for the weekend.
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Elsewhere, Chelsea will be missing long-term absentees Wesley Fofana, Reece James and N’Golo Kante.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Chelsea, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Graham Potter