GUNNERS REBUILD SHOWS BLUES VALUE OF PATIENCE

ARSENAL have gone from being leaders to chasers in the title race, but tonight they can return to the summit of the Premier League.

- Simon Collings

Victory over Chelsea will mean they leapfrog Manchester City, who on Sunday went top for the first time since February when they beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage.

City are a point ahead, with a game in hand, but Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal will fight until the end as they bid to get back on track after four games without a win and last week’s 4-1 humbling at the Etihad. All eyes are on how the Gunners respond before City return to action at home to West Ham tomorrow.

Whatever happens, it has been a remarkable season for Arsenal, who have spent an incredible 247 days at the top of the League.

That is in stark contrast to Chelsea, who have had one of the worst seasons in their history and are preparing to embark on a major rebuild this summer.

The Blues have lost five successive matches since Frank Lampard returned as caretaker manager.