Chelsea - Arsenal in the premier league

One of the Premier League's marquee games hits our screens for the early kick off this Saturday afternoon as Arsenal head to West London, looking to end a sequence of results that has not seen them claim victory at the home of their rivals since November 2008. Stats lovers beware, with 9 games gone so far this season, these sides sit 1st and 2nd in the foul play table with 42 yellows and 6 reds between them. Friendly it isn't and all eyes will be on Stamford Bridge come 12:45.

A summer of limited activity has seen new boss Andre Villas-Boas bring his own unique style and enthusiasm to what many see as an aging Chelsea team. Fernando Torres seems to have finally rediscovered the form that made him one of the top marksmen in Europe and Frank Lampard has been proving his critics wrong and continuing to do what he does best. Indiscipline seems to be a big problem right now however, with six yellows and two reds being shown last week alone. Recent years have shown Chelsea excel in this type of game but the lack of discipline shown this season (making them the worst in the league) will be sure to give the Chelsea boss cause for concern as one of the more ill tempered games of the season draws near.

If running a tight ship and making sure you have a wallet full of money is your game then Arsenal are the team to be. While out ransacking the bargain boutique this summer, teams around them have gone out and spent big money in their quests for Premiership glory. Losing Fabregas and Nasri will affect any team and, while reinforcements were brought in, the transfer window is now a good two months behind us and Messrs Arteta, Benayoun and Gervinho are yet to convince that they are the players to take Arsenal to the next level. Luckily for Arsene Wenger he did keep hold of at least one of his superstars in Robin Van Persie, who so far this season has been in blistering form. Keeping him fit is where the hard work really lies.

Drogba hurt as Chelsea beats Norwich

Chelsea avoided an early blow to their Barclays Premier League title hopes but lost Didier Drogba to a sickening injury as they struck late again to beat 10-man Norwich 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

The Canaries looked set to stun the Blues when Grant Holt pounced on a horrible error from Hilario to equalise and Drogba appeared to be knocked unconscious in an aerial challenge with Goalkeeper John Ruddy.But Frank Lampard blasted home from the penalty spot after Ruddy was sent off for bringing down Ramires and Juan Mata scored on his debut, adding to Jose Bosingwa's first goal for almost three years. Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas and captain John Terry used their programme notes to urge the home fans to get fully behind their team today after some booed them off at half-time against West Brom last week.

But supporters could be forgiven for wanting to see a performance to give them hope Chelsea have what it takes to topple Manchester United as champions this season, something called into question by their opening two displays. Villas-Boas responded by pairing Fernando Torres and Drogba together in what was a 4-4-2 for the first time this season. Possibly expecting a 4-3-3, Norwich began the game with a five-man defence and they duly fell behind inside six minutes.

After allowing Ramires to test Ruddy from 25 yards, they made the same mistake with Bosingwa, who brilliantly found the back of the net via the inside of the post.

Norwich began to settle and should have levelled in the 17th minute when Holt beat the offside trap but was unable to get a touch on Wes Hoolahan's brilliant ball over the top.Chelsea's passing was becoming ragged, although Torres was close to teeing up Drogba as the pair began to demonstrate an understanding that had been lacking in previous outings.

Chris Martin wasted another great chance to equalise, Hoolahan playing him clean through only for Hilario to save before crowding out the forward's rebound attempt and tipping over Kyle Naughton's 25-yarder. He also smothered Holt's header before City boss Paul Lambert withdrew Zak Whitbread for Anthony Pilkington on the half-hour mark and went 4-4-2.