Victory for the Premier League leader over a side whose manager admits it is in a relegation battle is not usually so significant, but if Arsenal beats Chelsea on Sunday it would be a powerful statement of its title credentials.
Jose Mourinho has gone though this is still the Portuguese's team and Arsene Wenger never overcame his bitter rival in a competitive match.
Guus Hiddink has acknowledged Chelsea is fighting against the drop, yet the Blues are still the reigning champion and Wenger only beat Mourinho once, in last August's Community Shield, never when three points were at stake.