Football betting: Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea

So important are Cesc Fabregas, Aleksandr Hleb and Mathieu Flamini to Arsenal's cause that judgement on how the Gunners fare against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday should be reserved until the lineup has been confirmed. Click here for your free £100 to bet on Arsenal v Chelsea Since Thierry Henry's departure in the summer the general consensus has it that the development of Arsène Wenger's young Gunners has advanced beyond measure. After all, the Premier league table doesn't lie. However, if Thierry Henry made Arsenal a one-man team, then the Fabregas/Hleb/ Flamini triumvirate have represented Arsenal's vital organs this season. The north Londoners have soared to the Premier League summit playing free-flowing football largely based on the passing of the Spaniard, the movement of the Belorussian and the industry of the Frenchman. Unbeaten even by Liverpool (1-1) and Manchester United (2-2) everything was going swimmingly until disaster struck two weeks ago. Firstly, Fabregas was injured against Sevilla as Arsenal slumped to their first defeat of the season. Then in the subsequent 2-1 win over Aston Villa Hleb fell foul to John Carew's crude challenge. And before you could say 'sicknote' Flamini was joining them on the treatment table. Suddenly deprived of three-quarters of its midfield, Arsenal drew against Newcastle (1-1) and lost (2-1) at Middlesbrough. Chelsea, by contrast, are in fine fettle. Avram Grant's arrival has not been as problematic as the cynics first suggested and, since losing at Manchester United, have embarked on a 16-match unbeaten run that has fired them back into Premier League title contention. Grant's side have possibly drawn more matches (four) than they would have liked during that sequence but the Blues have not been without injury problems of their own. The absence of John Terry, Petr Cech and Didier Drogba would affect any side and, though Drogba is missing again on Sunday, it is the visitors, who have not lost against Arsenal for fully eleven matches, who look to be in the ascendancy. Chelsea were unlucky not to beat Valencia after twice hitting the woodwork in midweek, while there is little to read from Arsenal's win against Group H also-rans Steaua Bucharest. All of which suggests that unless they reclaim their major bodily organs in time for Sunday, the Gunners will be laid low by their nemesis. Verdict: 2pts Chelsea to bt Arsenal @ 21/10 (Bet365) Click here for your free £100 to bet on Arsenal v Chelsea