Chelsea v Arsenal

1. Gabriel and Cazorla dismissed for Gunners
2. Zouma opens scoring before Hazard strikes
3. Chelsea XI: Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Pedro, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa
4. Arsenal XI: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis; Walcott

The Diego Costa discussion will go on and on - at least we are not talking (much) about a handshake anymore, hey?

But this is where I have to leave you...

For a developing match report go here.

And get the rest of the fall-out from Stamford Bridge, plus all the team news and build-up for all the 15:00 BST games here.

Danny Mills

Former player on Final Score

"The problem is the ref will now hide behind the letter of the law. He will say, "He raised his arm". Raising your arm is not a red card offence. 

"There was more than enough to send Costa off in that situation. Referees seem very reluctant to actually talk to players these days". 

"A ridiculous situation"

Danny Mills

Speaking on Final Score

"The inconsistency of the referee is ridiculous. Is it violent conduct? No. Is it endangering a player? No. It's definitely not a red card". 

"It's not about you, Mike Dean!"

Garth Crooks

Final Score

"Every so often I think you need a referee in a situation who is sensible, and treats the players like men.

"If no-one had been sent off in that clash between Costa and Gabriel, no-one would have screamed. 

"The only man who was interested in sending someone off was the official. Don't look for excuses to send players off. Just do you job and try and keep it 11 v 11. 

"Mike Dean is a really good referee but he has one fault - he wants to be the star too often. It's not about you, Mike. People pay good money to see good football. It's not about you behaving like a schoolteacher."

"It all changed in that moment"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"It was a great game in the first half, but it all changed in that moment between Gabriel and Costa. Have a good look at every camera angle, and the most important angle is the one where you can see how the referee say a kick out from Gabriel. If he did do it, Gabriel had to go - full stop."

So, Chelsea return to winning ways... Diego Costa was not on the scoresheet but you can bet your bottom dollar he will what everyone will be talking about after this match. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will surely have an opinion on the part the Blues striker played in Gabriel's sending off before half-time.

FULL-TIME

No handshakes between the managers at full-time. Arsene Wenger is straight off down the tunnel, while Jose Mourinho celebrates with his players.

SUBSTITUTION

 John Obi Mikel came on for Cesc Fabregas in the aftermath of Chelsea's second goal and has a think about having a shot after picking up the ball inside the Arsenal half. That would have been a collectors' item. In the end he thought better of it and passed it to a Blues team-mate.

"So many positives for Chelsea"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"There are so many positives for Chelsea. They haven't played brilliantly today but they have managed to beat their great rivals Arsenal. And Hazard finally gets a goal, and he has played with quality. 

"It's been a great game for Chelsea and now they can build from here. And you suspect that they will.

"Do you think there will be a handshake between the managers at the end?"

Arsenal's nine men have still not given up completely, although you could hardly blame them if they did.

Instead, Theo Walcott's nod down in the area finds an onrushing Aaron Ramsey but Asmir Begovic is there to deny the Gunners what would surely only have been a consolation.

GOAL - Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal

That really is that, as Chelsea make it 2-0 with a goal that sums up Arsenal's day. The ball breaks to Eden Hazard on the edge of the area and his shot takes a massive deflection off Calum Chambers on its way past Petr Cech.

AFP/GETTY

Every time an Arsenal player commits a foul, the Chelsea fans bellow "off, off, off". Mike Dean is keeping his cards in his pocket at the moment, though, and Chelsea are still keeping hold of the ball.

"Arsenal should still take chances"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"Up until the second sending off I still thought there was a chance for Arsenal in this. But Arsenal should still take chances - why not? So they end up losing 2-0, so what?"

You can listen to live commentary of this fixture via the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

Chelsea's dominance continues. 

Laurent Koscielny trips Eden Hazard on the edge of the Arsenal box. The Belgian takes the free-kick himself, but his shot hits the top of the wall and flies over.

Arsenal cannot get a touch at the moment.

"Costa has been walking a tightrope"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

EPA

"Costa had been walking a tightrope. Just before he was substituted he took another risk, tangling with Oxlade-Chamberlain. And now Mourinho has removed him."

Chelsea are playing keep-ball in their own half as we enter the last five minutes of the 90.

Arsenal have not given up yet, mind. Olivier Giroud wins a free-kick from Ramires about 40 yards out. The Gunners send as many men forward as they can into the Chelsea area... but the delivery from Aaron Ramsey is poor and does not reach any of them. A massive waste.

"A bad tackler's challenge"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"It's a bad tackler's challenge from Cazorla. He's a guy who's not very good at tackling. He tried to pull out but he caught Fabregas and he had to go. There was not an ounce of malice in the challenge, but he had to go."

Lucky man...

SUBSTITUTION

The points are in the bag, or may as well be, for Chelsea but Diego Costa still seems determined to pick a fight with every member of the Arsenal defence. No wonder Jose Mourinho wants to get him off the pitch before he gets a second booking too.

Costa basically got Gabriel sent off earlier, and he is going off now too - to be replaced by Loic Remy.

RED CARD

Any hopes of an Arsenal fightback are surely over now though...

Santi Cazorla was already on a booking and is shown a second yellow card after sliding in late on Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The Gunners are down to NINE men.

This is a decent little spell by Arsenal but they need to make it count. At the moment that is not happening Theo Walcott sees his shot deflected wide but Chelsea easily clear the resulting corner.

Chelsea are too slow when they break forward and it is Arsenal's 10 men who look more of a threat when they have the ball. Hector Bellerin's cross looks to pick out Olivier Giroud but Kurt Zouma is up to head it to safety.

"There's a lot of time left"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

Getty Images

"I'm looking forward to Arsene Wenger's post-match press conference already, but there's a lot of time left in this match. 

"Since Chelsea's goal, Arsenal have fashioned one or two half-chances. This is certainly not over yet."

SUBSTITUTION

A final throw of the dice by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are replaced by Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Chelsea are completely dominant at the moment in terms of possession but cannot fashion a shooting chance, with Diego Costa losing out to Laurent Koscielny. While it stays at 1-0, Arsenal are still in this.

YELLOW CARD

Calum Chambers has done pretty well in the Arsenal defence since coming on at half-time but Eden Hazard is too quick for him here. That's a yellow card for the centre-half.

Zouma off the mark

Before today, Kurt Zouma had scored in the FA Cup and League Cup for Chelsea, but never in the Premier League.... he has put that right now.

Getty Images

SUBSTITUTION

A change for Chelsea. Oscar has been impressive in defence and attack (and midfield) for the Blues today, but he is carrying a knee injury and is being replaced by Ramires.

Arsenal's 10 men are giving this a good go in the circumstances but they have to be careful - Chelsea are finding space down the flanks and Eden Hazard skips clear down the right before firing a low shot a few inches wide of Petr Cech's right-hand post.

"There's still plenty of tension"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

Getty Images

"This is no longer such a good game to watch now that Arsenal are down to 10 men, but there's still plenty of tension here."

YELLOW CARD

Another sniff for Arsenal as Theo Walcott tries his luck from the left-hand corner of the box but his shot curls a long way wide. Referee Mike Dean had allowed the advantage after Oscar fouled Laurent Koscielny but did not forget it, and books the Brazilian.

"An excellent chance for Arsenal"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"A great chance for Sanchez. He had to snatch at it because the ball came from a strange angle, but that was an excellent chance for Arsenal in these circumstances."

You can listen to live commentary of this fixture via the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

Arsenal's 10 men are all behind the ball when Chelsea have possession, but looking to spring forward when they win it back. There are long spells where the Blues are just spraying passes around though.

This is better from the Gunners though. A high ball into the Chelsea box has Kurt Zouma stretching and struggling but Alexis Sanchez cannot make proper contact as it bounces through. He was under pressure from Branislav Ivanovic but you would expect better from the Chilean.

So, how do Arsenal's 10 men respond to this? Not too well so far - Eden Hazard has just brought another good save from Petr Cech with a stinging shot from the edge of the area.

Costa: The debate...

Jaques:  Players should be fined their weekly wages for getting involved in incidents like that as well trying to get others sent off 

Jonathan:  Where's Roy Keane when you need him. He would handle costa with ease.  

Seth Gogo Egoeh:  I've never been to a 'Referee School', but even I knew that was a straight red card for Costa. Bad refereeing, bad advert for Premier League. 

"There was no-one on Zouma"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"Zouma is absolutely fantastic in the air, and a great ball in by Fabregas. Zouma has the best leap of any player I have ever seen. But he did not need to leap, there was no-one on him. A good header down and Cech, dropping, still could do nothing.

"Arsenal cannot afford to concede another goal now. At the moment is it total dominance by Chelsea."

I'm not sure where the Arsenal defence was for Chelsea's goal, because Kurt Zouma was all alone, six yards out. Petr Cech got a hand on it but it is asking an awful lot for any keeper to stop it from there.

*The graphic below does not show Arsenal's defence, just Fabregas and Zouma. It was not quite THAT easy!

Opta

GOAL Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal

You know what I was saying about Cesc Fabregas not having any assists this season? He does now.

After Aaron Ramsey concedes a free-kick with a handball, Fabregas floats a deep ball to the back post where Kurt Zouma arrives like a train to beat Petr Cech with a header that the keeper got something on, but could not keep out.

"Mike Dean needs to calm down"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

Reuters

"I hope the referee doesn't get over-excited here. Ivanovic did not deserve his booking - I'm not sure it was even a foul! Mike Dean needs to calm down a little bit..."

You can listen to live commentary of this fixture via the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

Chelsea charge forward from the resulting Arsenal corner but their break ends when Hector Bellerin wins a battle with Diego Costa in front of the travelling Gunners fans, who tell the Chelsea striker exactly what they think of him.

...It is Alexis Sanchez who tries his luck, but his shot hits the wall and bounces wide. Sanchez has had the most shots in the Premier League this season - 29, including blocked efforts - but is yet to score. In fact he has only scored five goals in his last 28 games for the Gunners.

YELLOW CARD

Arsenal's first foray forward sees Branislav Ivanovic shove Alexis Sanchez off the ball on the edge of the Chelsea area. A booking and a free-kick in a dangerous position...

Chelsea start the second half on the attack. Calum Chambers beats Diego Costa to Oscar's cross but the ball bounces into the path of Pedro, who fires wide.

KICK-OFF

We are back under way at Stamford Bridge.

The Arsenal players - 10 of them - are back out early for the second half. The Gunners are going to make a change, with Calum Chambers on for Francis Coquelin. Chambers will slot in alongside Laurent Kosielny at centre-half.

Chelsea have the edge

The Blues edged possession and territory in the first half, will they be able to add to that now Arsenal are down to 10 men? Chelsea have also had eight shots on goal to Arsenal's four. 

Opta

"I'd take Costa off right now"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"If I was Jose Mourinho, I'd take Costa off right now. I'd put Falcao on, because Costa is not in control of himself. 

"Mike Dean will have eyes for Costa, and any transgression between now and the end of the game and Costa will be off."

You can listen to live commentary of this fixture via the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

"It always seems to involve Diego Costa"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

Reuters

"Gabriel knew where Costa was. It was 40 yards from the original incident, but he found Costa and walked back into them. Gabriel will say he didn't know where Costa was, but he did. 

"By the way, the original incident saw Costa put his arm across Koscielny. I tell you what, a few assistant referees would have shouted for a possible red card there as well. 

"It always seems to involve Diego Costa, doesn't it?"

Costa in the thick of it...

Returning to the red card, replays do not cover Diego Costa in glory. He was involved in three separate clashes with Laurent Koscielny, including a swipe at his face, before Gabriel even arrived on the scene.

Fabregas finding form?

Back to the actual football (for now) and good to see Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas being heavily involved in Chelsea's attacks.

Fabregas got more assists than anyone else in the Premier League last season but is yet to manage one so far this season. 

Today, though, he has been more involved in the opposition half (left graphic) than he was against Everton last weekend (right graphic). You can also see below that during the first 20 minutes many of his passes are heading towards Eden Hazard on Chelsea's left wing. 

Opta

"What a shame, really"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"What a shame, really. Chelsea have been getting more and more into this game and the attitudes of both sets of players had been excellent, with really good work-rates and energy.

"Then right at the end the dynamic of this game has changed. We might now not get as good second half. We will pour over that sending off - did Gabriel deserve his red card? Let's be clear, Costa is no angel."

I'm looking forward to reading the description of that red card on the Chelsea website...

Handshake-gate

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

PA

"Wenger almost tried to dummy his way out of the handshake with Mourinho before the start, but was just a little too late!"

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Bizarre end to the half with Gabriel sent off at the conclusion of a lengthy spat with Diego Costa. Arsenal might say, with a lot of justification, that Costa started all that with three straight hands into the face of Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny - surely he should be off as well?

Um, it feels a bit lame to be talking about a pre-match handshake after that load of handbags, but coming up is a picture of the moment the managers met...

Gabriel's dismissal was Arsenal's 78th Premier League red card, and their fifth v Chelsea. Only Everton (79) have more.  

Paul Humphreys:  Only got himself to blame Gabriel. You've both got yellows just leave it! Terrible discipline   

Michael Lee:  Cue Mourinho saying everyone picks on Costa..  

Richard Thiardt:  Love or hate it. Mission accomplished Diego.  

"Gabriel was wound up just that little bit more"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"They both had received a yellow card, but Costa was still getting at Gabriel. He walked backwards into Costa, and the referee must deem he walked back and tried to stamp on Costa. 

"They were both trying to wind each other up and in the end the battle was won by Costa, because Gabriel was wound up just that little bit more. And the referee was in a brilliant position."

You can listen to live commentary of this fixture via the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

HALF-TIME

At least this half is ending with a bang, but the replays I've seen of that red card show that Gabriel stuck out a leg as Diego Costa walked into him. That is very harsh if that is the case. I'm sure it will all be cleared up soon enough. 

RED CARD

I was right, this is not over. Mike Dean signals that Gabriel kicked out at Costa in the aftermath of that initial incident, and that is a red card. Gabriel is not going quietly either.

YELLOW CARD

That ended with a yellow card apiece for Diego Costa and Gabriel, but it is not over yet... Costa is not letting this lie - he claims Gabriel just stood on his toe.

Referee Mike Dean has got a lot to sort out here. Chelsea striker Diego Costa is in the thick of it, clashing with Laurent Koscielny and then Gabriel, who arrived late to get involved.

Here come Chelsea again, and Petr Cech has to push away Pedro's snap-shot from the edge of the area.

All of a sudden this game is end-to-end, with Branislav Ivanovic having a shot blocked on the edge of the Arsenal area before Arsenal break to threaten through Aaron Ramsey.

"Zouma is the future"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"I thought Chelsea might have started this season with Cahill and Zouma together in the centre of defence. Zouma hadn't made any mistakes, and he is the future for Chelsea, so perhaps the quicker they make that selectorial change the better. 

"It would have surprised me if Terry had started today, considering the pace of Arsenal.

Have your say on the big moments...

Femi John Atoyebi:  Hazard wrestled to the ground. How is that not a penalty to Chelsea

Steven Kabuoro:  A clear push on Hazard right infront of the refs eyes.  

David Robinson:  Never ever a penalty. Correct call. Gabriel stood his ground which he has every right to do & Hazard didn't have the strength  

We have not had too many shots today, which is probably why Kurt Zouma decides to have a pop from 40 yards out. He gets plenty of power behind his effort, but it is well over.

"Anywhere else on the field..."

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

Getty Images

"Anywhere else on the field, that challenge by Gabriel was a free-kick. He just shoved him off the pitch! That was very dangerous indeed, especially as it was inside the penalty box. 

"Hazard did have some of Gabriel's shirt though, so maybe from the referee's point of view he thought it was six of one and half a dozen of the other."

You can listen to live commentary of this fixture via the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

And here's a penalty appeal too, well sort of. Gabriel muscles Eden Hazard off the ball to stop him wriggling past him by the left-hand by-line. Chelsea want a spot-kick, but referee Mike Dean is having none of it.

Hang on though because here's a chance - well, half of one anyway. Pedro gets behind Santi Cazorla as he darts on to a Cesc Fabregas long ball but Petr Cech is off his line before he can get a meaningful shot away.

YELLOW CARD

No goals or clear chances and precious few shots, but we do have our first booking: Mike Dean puts Santi Cazorla's name in his book after he trips Pedro on the half-way line to prevent him breaking forward.

The sting has gone out of this game a bit. Arsenal are in the ascendancy at the moment, possession-wise, but they are hardly knocking on the door.

Arsenal have been a bit quiet coming forward of late, but Theo Walcott is involved again here. Chelsea only half clear a Santi Cazorla free-kick and Walcott finds space on the left of the area, but his attempt to side-foot it into the opposite corner of the net in the style of Thierry Henry is not accurate enough to beat Asmir Begovic.

This is another good spell of possession by Chelsea, who win a corner out on the left. Petr Cech comes to get it... and misses it... but the ball flies straight out of play. Lucky boy. Hmmm, maybe you do beat Cech from there?

Getty Images

Chelsea manage their second shot of the game, this time a skidding effort from Diego Costa. Again it is from a long way out, though, and as most of the Stamford Bridge crowd will know - you do not beat Petr Cech from there.

Francis Coquelin briefly leaves the pitch but jogs back on moments later, and seems fine. Mikel Arteta was warming up just in case - which probably did not fill Arsenal fans with too much confidence.

A worry for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger because his key (or only?) defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin is down and receiving treatment in the centre-circle. The Gunners did not cope very well without him in Croatia on Wednesday, did they?

Chelsea threaten again, as Diego Costa wins the ball back down the left and bundles his way into the area. His attempt to find a team-mate with a pull-back fails, however, and it is safe to say that an end product is eluding both teams at the moment.

"Great interplay from Chelsea"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"Some great interplay from Chelsea and the fans increase the volume. They've just seen their side play a style of football which they haven't produced since last season."

You can listen to live commentary of this fixture via the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

This time it is the Gunners' defence that does well. Some neat stuff by Chelsea in and around the Arsenal area but Gabriel is in the right place to break up the visitors' attack.

I wonder how many times Theo Walcott will be caught offside today? The flag has gone up on him again, and again it was very close. Chelsea are living a bit dangerously in terms of the margins of these calls but, so far, their defence is looking well organised. 

No doubt John Terry, looking on from the bench, will be impressed.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Oscar has been on the receiving end of plenty of touchline approval from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in these early stages. Two robust midfield challenges prompt a flurry of "thumbs up" gestures from Mourinho to the Brazilian.

Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal

Luca Goodman: Who'd have thought a few years ago that Fabregas would be taking a shot at goal for Chelsea with Petr Cech in goal for Arsenal

Bright Eugene:  One thing is certain. Arsenal will outpace Chelsea today. But can they outgun them? Time will tell.

A first sniff for Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who is crowded out on the edge of the area after good work by Oscar, who is having an impressive game all round so far.

"The game has settled down"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

Reuters

"It was frantic to begin with but now this game has settled into what we expected. And you have to say, Arsenal look the more comfortable side when they're on the ball. But only just.

"Walcott is looking really lively - playing on the shoulders of the defenders and trying to use his pace at every opportunity. I completely understand why he prefers to play as a centre-forward rather than wide on the right, because he's always involved."

Arsenal striker Theo Walcott times his run slightly wrong on this occasion, and is flagged offside as he charges on to another lofted pass. He went too early, but only just.

Some good defending from both sides so far, which is why that tame Cesc Fabregas effort from earlier remains the only shot at goal of the game. Gary Cahill is the latest player to put in a sliding tackle that was timed to perfection, this time on Alexis Sanchez. Oscar has made a couple of brilliant challenges too.

"Arsenal are trying balls over the top"

Pat Nevin

BBC Radio 5 live

"It's obvious what Arsenal are trying to do - direct balls over the top. And twice it's nearly come off with openings for Theo Walcott."

You can listen to live commentary of this fixture via the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

... Arsenal have a free-kick in a dangerous position but it is a disappointing delivery.

A first test for Branislav Ivanovic, as Alexis Sanchez charges down his flank. Ivanovic gets back and across his man but Mike Dean sees a foul...

Branislav Ivanovic is limping but it looks like Chelsea's captain for the day is fine to carry on. This is a good spell by his team, and it ends with Cesc Fabregas firing in a bouncing shot from 25 yards that is easily collected by Petr Cech.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made very sure Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger could not miss the pre-match handshake after all the fuss and bother of the Community Shield. Mourinho was in his seat very early - and then up and out of it minutes before Wenger's arrival. Let's not kid ourselves though. Not a shred of warmness from the Arsenal manager as he breezed past, shaking hands on the way.

Steve Hankey:  Two men shake hands, can we talk about the football now please?  

Chelsea Warrior:  #handshakegate over? 

Arsenal use Theo Walcott's pace, playing a ball in behind  the Chelsea defence. Asmir Begovic is off his line and out to the left-hand edge of his area quickly though, and does enough to put Walcott off - he pushes the ball past the Blues keeper but puts it out of play.

But Chelsea clear their lines and break forward quickly before Diego Costa is sent tumbling by Francis Coquelin. Referee Mike Dean has a think but decides not to show a yellow card.

Arsenal have created more chances than any other Premier League team this season and they are first on the attack as Aaron Ramsey forces a corner after some good work down the right.

"A great opportunity for Zouma"

Martin Keown

BBC Radio 5 live

"Zouma is a young player coming in and trying to oust John Terry. He's clearly got all the attributes needed, so for him it's all about gaining game experience. 

"No-one is really certain of their position at the back without Terry, and Zouma will be tested today. But f he has a blinding performance today it'll be hard for Terry to break back into this team. Today is a great opportunity for Zouma."

You can listen to live commentary of this fixture via the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

KICK-OFF

Was that worth all the fuss? Probably not. Anyway, we are under way...

The managers shake hands

Just time for one last handshake, and it is the one we have been waiting for. Jose Mourinho ambushes Arsene Wenger as he emerges from the tunnel and sticks out a hand. Wenger takes it, as he shuffles to his seat.

"I think the Blues could just edge this..."

Martin Keown

BBC Radio 5 live

"This is the perfect fixture for Chelsea's players. It has been a difficult time for them, so a win today could get them back on the top of their games. 

"I think the Blues, with home advantage and having won this fixture last year, might just edge this today."

"A warm welcome"

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

"As you would expect, a very warm welcome for Arsenal keeper Petr Cech from Chelsea's fans on his return to Stamford Bridge when he came out to warm up and when his name was announced. An outstanding servant and a winner of three Premier League titles under the management of Jose Mourinho alone."

More handshakes...

The players are out on the pitch now. More handshakes coming up. Sorry, I will stop going on about that now...

"I'm not the biggest fan..."

Pat Nevin

former Chelsea winger at Stamford Bridge for BBC Radio 5 live

"There a loads of half-and-half scarves here. I'm not the biggest fan of them and I couldn't imagine wearing one, but you can of course love your team without hating another one."

Handshakes and hugs

Lots of handshakes and hugs going on between the players in the tunnel. Nothing doing yet between the managers - and Jose Mourinho is already in his seat - he is all alone in the dug-out at the moment.

"It's a strong Chelsea line-up"

Pat Nevin

Former Chelsea winger at Stamford Bridge for BBC Radio 5 live

"I imagine Pedro will have to do a bit of defending today, helping Ivanovic out. It's a strong Chelsea lie-up with one big 'if'... if they are playing well! Lately, they haven't been."

"Ivanovic the Chelsea captain? Huge"

Dion Dublin

Football Focus

"Ivanovic the Chelsea captain today? This is huge. In big games like this you need your bread and butter players in your side, the people who know how to win big games. There's no bigger, experienced Chelsea player than John Terry. 

"Chelsea's poor current form is down to losing their leader, because of Terry's poor form."

Ivanovic leads the way

As much of a talking point as John Terry being left out is the fact that Branislav Ivanovic is back in the Chelsea team today. Fair to say his form has not exactly been sparkling at right-back so far this season, has it?

MOTD commentator's verdict

Guy Mowbray

BBC Match of the Day commentator

"Despite their poor Premier League form, Chelsea must be favourites due to the luck of the (Champions League) draw.

"There's no conspiracy - the home TV games were chosen long before the names came out of Uefa's plastic pots - but an early Saturday start for a game of this magnitude is the last thing Arsenal needed after a long trip home from defeat in Zagreb.

"Meanwhile, Chelsea got their mojo back at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv, with Jose Mourinho's shaking up of his under-performing team paying dividends.

"It's a game that's guaranteed drama season after season - on, and just off the field. What a way to start the weekend."

"Terry is a tactical decision"

"A bitter blow" is how Terry's omission appears to most observers, but this is how Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho explains his team selection against Arsenal: "Branislav Ivanovic comes in for Baba Rahman, who is a fantastic player but we feel he has not adapted to the Premier League yet. John Terry is a tactical decision. I have three central defenders and I trust them all the same. I have tried reading the opponent and what they can bring."

A "tactial decision" then. Might that have something to do with Theo Walcott's pace, and Terry's lack of it?

"A bitter blow for Terry"

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

"Big call from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to exclude captain John Terry when fully fit - and for a game of this magnitude. Perhaps an even bigger surprise is the decision to hand the captaincy to Branislav Ivanovic, who has struggled desperately for form this season. Big show of faith in Ivanovic but a bitter blow for Terry."

The sun is shining at Stamford Bridge as the players disappear down the tunnel following their warm-up. Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is one of the last to leave the pitch, taking a final few pot-shots at goal before he does... some of you might argue he needs all the practice he can get...

"It's a crisis for Chelsea"

Martin Keown

BBC Radio 5 live

"I think it's damaging for the game that two major managers don't take part in a handshake - it's disrespectful to the sport. 

"Chelsea have not performed at the start of this season and I think it's in part to do with the intensity of Jose Mourinho this season. I don't think he's been stable since the start of the season - his side has imploded and it's a crisis for Chelsea."

"Wenger can get affected by Jose"

Pat Nevin

Former Chelsea winger at Stamford Bridge for BBC Radio 5 live

"This handshake thing is as a result of the big-name manager, plus the increase in 24 hour football coverage in the media. It might add to the build-up to the fixture but it'll have little or no effect on the game itself. Or does it? I feel Arsene Wenger can get affected by Jose."

To shake or not to shake...

So, will the two managers shake hands today? And are you really bothered? If so, this is what Jose and Arsene have said when asked a few minutes ago...

Mourinho: "The handshake is a question for him, not for me."

Wenger: "The handshake is not my worry, the performance of the team is."

So, not exactly conclusive. Personally, I am just looking forward to what should be a cracking game of football.

Lawro's prediction

Speaking of predictions, here is Lawro's verdict on today's game: 

Lawro says: "Arsenal have made a better start to the season than Chelsea, but so far they have only been average.

"Yes, they beat Chelsea in the Community Shield but that does not mask the fact that Arsene Wenger has a really poor record against Mourinho, whom he has never beaten in a competitive match. I don't see that changing on Saturday."

His score: 1-1

Read the rest of Lawro's predictions here.

Predict the result

.

Don't forget, you can predict the outcome of this match - and the rest of the weekend's fixtures - in our Premier League Predictor game. You can register your scores here and you have until kick-off time to submit them. Good luck!

Cech's return

Yep, no danger that Arsenal keeper Petr Cech does not know his way around Stamford Bridge after spending 11 years there. He did not have to pick the ball out of the net too often in that time, either. Will that change today?

.

Arsenal team news

Theo Walcott gets the nod to lead the Arsenal attack, with Olivier Giroud on the bench. 

Former Chelsea keeper Petr Cech returns after being rested for Wednesday's Champions League defeat by Dinamo Zagreb and Gabriel partners Laurent Koscielny at centre-back with Per Mertesacker still sidelined.

BBC

Chelsea team news

John Terry remains on the Chelsea bench as Jose Mourinho sticks with Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill as his centre-back partnership. 

Branislav Ivanovic returns at right back, and in front of him Pedro is back in the Blues starting line-up after a two-game absence. Oscar also starts after shaking off a knee problem.

BBC

"A nightmare start"

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown says in his MOTD column that this is could be a season-defining game for both teams.

Keown says: "Jose Mourinho's side have made a horrific start to their title defence but they will look at this match as a way out of their nightmare and a chance to get their season started properly.

"A win, no matter how they get it, would give the defending champions a shot in the arm and deflect the pressure from Mourinho on to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

"Wenger is already getting some stick  and that will intensify if Arsenal lose. On the other hand, if his side beat Chelsea it would cause them huge damage - another defeat would leave their Premier League campaign in ruins."

Read more of Keown on Chelsea v Arsenal

Title-winning form?

Chelsea in particular are desperate for points, coming into the game with only four from their first five matches. They are also perched just one place above the relegation zone - about as far from title-winning form as you can get.

Compared to their rivals from West London, Arsenal have made a decent start but they are still playing catch-up with leaders Manchester City and Wednesday's defeat by Dinamo Zagreb showed a potentially worrying lack of depth in their squad.

Reuters

Shake it up

Anyone else bored of all this handshake stuff, or is it just me?  

I'm sure some of you care whether Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho does or doesn't snub Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger this time, or vice versa... but I can't help thinking there is at least one thing more important - ie who gets the three points.

Getty Images

Welcome to our live page for Chelsea v Arsenal. We'll have text commentary here from 12:00 BST, plus you can follow radio commentary of this game via the live coverage tab. You can keep up to date with all the build-up to today's games here.