An increasingly confident Arsenal host their arch-rivals Chelsea in what is the standout fixture in an action-packed Saturday in the English Premier League.

Derbies rarely disappoint, and this London derby almost never has, for fans have seen it all, from red cards, to golazos of the highest order!

The stakes are high for both sides, and both managers in particular, for a loss on Saturday could prove crippling for the sides who are vying to win the Premier League title.

Arsenal

After a damaging opening-day loss to Liverpool, the Gunners have rallied to string together some impressive results. They have won all games save draws against Leicester City and Paris Saint-Germain to raise hopes around the Emirates Stadium.

Summer signing Granit Xhaka has been making the headlines with his long-range thunderbolts, and is fast emerging as a key player for the North London side.

Manager Arsene Wenger will send out his strongest XI as they look to secure bragging rights and perhaps even end up in second place if other results play out in their favour.

In goal, they have ex-Blues man Petr Cech, and a pretty solid back four of Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscieny, Shkodran Mustafi and Hector Bellerin will strive to keep a clean sheet.

Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin are the preferred choices in the midfield pivot role, but Xhaka&’s form puts him in with a shout to start. The returning Aaron Ramsey is a handy option as well.

Youngsters Alex Iwobi, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott will provide support to Alexis Sanchez in attack with Olivier Giroud expected to make the bench but not start. Iwobi is an unknown quantity, and his big-game temperament will be tested to the core in this feisty derby.

The Gunners have a few injury complaints, as Ramsey and Giroud both not fully fit and Danny Welbeck and Per Mertesacker the long-term absentees.

Chelsea

Chelsea had been winning games at the death, with controversial striker Diego Costa saving their bacon on many occasions but came undone against a fluid Liverpool side last weekend.

Since then, they had a morale-boosting comeback win over Leicester City in mid-week, which just goes on to prove that they have a title-winning mentality.

And they also have their fiery manager Antonio Conte to thank for that, as he has galvanised a side that failed to leave a mark in the 2015/16 season.

Conte has few selection dilemmas on his mind, as veteran Branislav Ivanovic was in shambles in the Liverpool loss, and Marcos Alonso is waiting in the wings.

The bigger concern is whether or not Cesc Fabregas should be included after his heroics against Leicester. The Spaniard is seen as a bit of a luxury player due to his low work-rate, and should he come in, either Nemanja Matic or Oscar are likely to be replaced.

Either way, Conte will go in with his 4-1-4-1 formation with Thibaut Courtois the rock at the back, N’Golo Kante the spine and Eden Hazard and Costa the players who will look to silence the Emirates with a goal or two.

Captain John Terry and Kurt Zouma are the only players in the casualty list for the visitors.

Super Stat: This is the first-ever meeting between managers Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte!