Clearly Drogba will return at the expense of Kakuta and I expect Ramires to be selected ahead of Zhirkov. Those will probably be the only changes to the starting eleven from the Marseille game. Essien should be our key man based on recent games against the Gooners.

I'm pretty worried about this, although the fact that Fabianski will be starting is easing that worry somewhat.

Hopefully Ramires will have an easier time against a team who won't overpower him.

I'd rather have Almunia starting than Fabianski

I don't think it will be long before Fabianski is the no1 choice and think he is more reliable than Almunia, he looks more solid to me and most Arsenal fans I know seem happier to see Fabianski chosen.

I think Ramires will be back and it might be a good game for him, Arsenal are not going to be physical and they will pass the ball quickly, Ramires has a bit of pace and I prefer him in against Arsenal than City, I think its a big game for Ivan at RB and feel he might have to pick his runs forward as they are very quick on the break, Ashley can cope and has decent defensive cover from Malouda when he gets forward, the right hand side could be a problem.

I hope Essien is fit for this and with Drogba rested and hopefully ready I would be hopeful of the three points, a brace for Droga and a goal for Essien would be my prediction...Can't see us keeping a clean sheet and it could be Arshavin who gets a goal for them.

One of our biggest games obviously as they are capable of going on a strong run if they were to get a result out of us.

I'm worried about this game, without Lampard especially, he does so much in the midfield and when hes playing we keep the ball alot easier. Just hope Drogba has a top day at the office.

This game is all about POWER!

------------------Cech---------------------

--Ivano-------Alex--------JT-----Cole--

-----------------Mikel----------------------

--------Essien---------Ramires----------

Anelka------------------------Malouda--

------------------Drogba------------------

There is enough pace and power to smash a few past Fabianski. Wasnt he the keeper when we beat then in the FA Cup semi final two years ago, didnt he made a howler for Drogba to score the winner?

Lets bully them off the ball and blast a few shots on goal and test him early

Ya I agree, we'll just have to beat them the way we always beat them. Size and strength

I'm worried about this game, without Lampard especially, he does so much in the midfield and when hes playing we keep the ball alot easier. Just hope Drogba has a top day at the office.

I agree with that. The two most noticeable things about the team without Lampard is that the midfield looks to have less control over the game and secondly I think we miss his leadership.

Drogba's power has been an issue for Arse in past couple of years. Hopefully that will be the case again. Maybe Kalou will be back on the bench?

is Drogba playing? Good then we are sorted. Joking!

Will be a tough game but I expect us to win it, especially at home. It's really a shame that Lampard will miss it but on the other hand gives Ramires another big game and hopefully he will have a good game.

So the 1st game of the annual Drogba v Arsenal double is upon us, will we see the Goonie defenders cowering in terror, will Wenger tell us Didier does nothing in a game (other than score, obviously), will flappyhandski play, will Ramires start against one of the only teams in the prem where he can actually bully midfielders smaller than him.....

My Team would be:

------------------Cech---------------------

--Ivan-------Alex--------JT-----Cole--

-----------------Mikel----------------------

--------Essien---------McEachran----------

Anelka-------Drogba-------------Malouda--

Subs: Keeper (? anyone but Turnbull - who's fit?)

Sturridge, Kakuta, Van Aarnholt, Ramires, Paulo

& Bruma.

lol , yeah this is one game where Ramires can play on a equal footing if not dominate them . This is going to be a very open match is my presumption ..

If we can win this match , that will shut off Arsene wenger for some time .. He is just nuts giving a false image to the media and the fans . It is going to be a french affair with our forwards and their defenders !

Is fabregas playing ?

I'd start Zirkhov. He had a good game on Wednesday and having him alongside Cole and Malouda gives us a really strong lefthand side, both going forward and defensively.

Apparently Bosingwa is fit for selection and I'd have him on the bench.

Otherwise the team picks itself.

I'd start Zirkhov. He had a good game on Wednesday and having him alongside Cole and Malouda gives us a really strong lefthand side, both going forward and defensively.

Apparently Bosingwa is fit for selection and I'd have him on the bench.

Otherwise the team picks itself.

He looked VERY rusty in the reserve match against Liverpool (which you would expect) so I can't see him playing any part. Certainly wouldn't fancy seeing him have Arshavin or Nasri running at him.

What's the latest on Arsenal injuries, especially Fabregas, Walcott & Van Persie?

He looked VERY rusty in the reserve match against Liverpool (which you would expect) so I can't see him playing any part. Certainly wouldn't fancy seeing him have Arshavin or Nasri running at him.

What's the latest on Arsenal injuries, especially Fabregas, Walcott & Van Persie?

Didn't see much of the reserve match but they said on Blues News last night that he would be available for selection. I'm sure he won't start but he could well be on the bench.

Shame that Lampard won't play, but it's a great chance for Ramiers, I hope he will have a good match. It's great that Drogba is fit. Is Bossy going to be on the bench?

He looked VERY rusty in the reserve match against Liverpool (which you would expect) so I can't see him playing any part. Certainly wouldn't fancy seeing him have Arshavin or Nasri running at him.

What's the latest on Arsenal injuries, especially Fabregas, Walcott & Van Persie?

Walcott & Van Persie are definitely out. Fabregas is highly unlikely to start

He looked VERY rusty in the reserve match against Liverpool (which you would expect) so I can't see him playing any part. Certainly wouldn't fancy seeing him have Arshavin or Nasri running at him.

What's the latest on Arsenal injuries, especially Fabregas, Walcott & Van Persie?

I wouldn't say he struggled in the first half, but then the pace and quality of the game obviously wasn't what you'd expect in the Premiere League. Bosingwa was noticeably less effective in the second half though, which you have to put down to lack of match fitness - as you rightly say, what do you expect. I could maybe see him coming on for the last few minutes if we're comfortably ahead, but that's about it.

Didn't see much of the reserve match but they said on Blues News last night that he would be available for selection. I'm sure he won't start but he could well be on the bench.

Agreed. It would be very nice to see him on the bench. I would give him the last 10 minutes of the game to play.

I'd rather have Almunia starting than Fabianski

10000% agree

Hahahaha. :D Fabianski is very weak in Arsenal, he's much better when he plays for Polish National Team. ;) But I prefer Artur Boruc. ;)

Would love to see Boswinga back for this one , can see a few chances in this game and they'll come at us every opportunity .

They were also involved in a midweek game, so probably a good time to get this fixture out of the way. Put it this way, it's better than being away to Sunderland with only a 3 day break. Poor Sir Alex

Given our history of bullying them in the midfield and with Frank out, this would've been a nice game to still have Ballack for, oh well, Ramires (assuming he starts) should do fine against a team like Arsenal.

I seem to recall Nico and Malouda both having great games against the Gunners in the last couple of seasons, here's hoping that they terrorize the Arsenal goal.

3-1 for me, Anelka with 2, Malouda 1, Drogba with 2 assists. Chamakh gets one for them; wish they hadn't signed him, pretty sure he's won them a couple of points already this year.

Chamakh gets one for them; wish they hadn't signed him, pretty sure he's won them a couple of points already this year.

I'm not too impressed by him. His only strength is in the air and we should be able to cope with that