Arsene Wenger speaks ahead of Chelsea game

Do you think there will be fireworks when Wenger and Mourinho meet on the touchline this season?

Arsenal are level on points with Chelsea heading into the match, and Merson believes this will be a season defining match for the Gunners, who have fallen short of winning the title since 2004. These latest comments are the kind of words you’d expect to hear in a Sunday League match or in the realms of a pub around a ground.

But the 66-year-old says criticism from the pundits and those in the stands must be put into perspective.

Wenger, who has endured many barbs from Mourinho in the past, faces Chelsea looking to improve on a woeful record of five wins in his last 31 meetings against the Blues. Saturday gives them the chance to shout their name from the rooftops. It wasn’t easy at 2-0 and after a defeat in the last game. I feel betrayed because of the work you did’.

Win and win well against Chelsea, and Wenger’s men would make quite a statement to the rest of the league.

But Wenger’s success was a double-edged sword as his peers closed the gap by pilfering his philosophy at a time when Arsenal were burdened by the financial restrictions from their move to the Emirates. He has not played since the opening day of the season.

Ramsey has suffered with plenty of injuries during his time with Arsenal and will be hugely disappointed with another setback.

The North London outfit have been criticised in the past for their lack of transfer spending, but they parted with £88m in the summer to sign Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez.

Lucas’ first start came after the global break in the 2-1 victory at the Emirates over Southampton, but last night, with Olivier Giroud missing through injury and Alexis Sanchez rested, he made his first real impression.

All told, Arsenal are 0-3-7 against Chelsea since a 5-3 triumph October 29, 2011.

Arsenal will be without midfielder Aaron Ramsey as he struggles to overcome a hamstring injury whilst striker Olivier Giroud has still not started a first team game.

In the return encounter, Costa drew Per Mertesacker into a brutal challenge in the 18th minute – resulting in a direct red card – and scored the match-winner five minutes later to help Chelsea complete the double.

“My coach deserves respect because I know he wants to win and if he doesn’t play me, there is always a reason”.

“We have four days to prepare for the game, let’s focus on that now”.