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?

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."

"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?

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."

Postpublished at 12:32

12:32

Chelsea v Arsenal (12:45 BST)

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...

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."

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."

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.

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.

Image source, .

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!

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?

Image source, .

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.

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.

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 , external 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

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.

Image source, Reuters

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.

Image source, Getty Images