Premier League leaders Chelsea host third place Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off) looking to end the Gunners’ faint title hopes.

Antonio Conte’s Blues drew 1-1 at Liverpool on Tuesday to open up a nine-point gap at the top, with the likes of Tottenham and indeed Arsene Wenger’s side missing out on the chance to claw back some points on the leaders.

The Gunners surprisingly lost 2-1 at home to Watford to end their unbeaten start to 2017, but they’ll have fond memories of playing Chelsea, given that they produced a clinical display to batter the Blues 3-0 back in September.

As it stands, Wenger’s men are one of just three sides to have beaten Chelsea in the league this season, with Liverpool and Spurs the others, yet Conte’s side are a completely different side now, and will fancy their chances of going 12 points clear of Arsenal with victory on Saturday.

The Blues have won their last eight Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge, and have won their four home games against the Gunners, dating back to that incredible 5-3 victory for Wenger’s men in 2011.

So, with the build-up well underway ahead of Saturday’s encounter, we’ve analysed the THREE key battles that could determine the outcome in West London on Saturday…

N’Golo Kante vs Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

N’Golo Kante was outstanding against Liverpool in midweek to once again illustrate why he is one of the best midfielders in the league.

There’s no coincidence that the two teams he has played for in England, Leicester and Chelsea, have both been top while he has been at the clubs, and his sensational efforts in the middle of the park look set to help the Blues regain the title this term.

However, the French international is likely to face someone slightly unusual in the Arsenal midfield on Saturday, with it likely that England star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will deputise in the deep-lying role.

Granit Xhaka is suspended, Aaron Ramsey is injured, and Mohamed Elneny is away on African Cup of Nations duty with Egypt, leaving just Francis Coquelin as the main man in that midfield area.

Thus, 23-year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain will likely come in and, although it’s not his natural position, he has played there before for both club and country, so it’s not totally alien to him.

Nonetheless, he will come up against arguably the best centre midfield in the league on Saturday, and how disciplined he is and how well he is able to break things up and give the Chelsea players little time will be huge if Arsenal are to get a result at Stamford Bridge.

Cesar Azpilicueta vs Alexis Sanchez

It remains to be seen where Alexis Sanchez plays on Saturday, given that there are fitness doubts surrounding striker Olivier Giroud.

Nonetheless, the Chilean will either be up top or in the advanced left position, two areas on the pitch where he has been deadly this term.

The 28-year-old is the joint top-scorer in the Premier League with 15 goals in just 23 appearances this season, while he has also laid on eight assists to demonstrate his absolute importance to his Arsenal side.

Regardless of where he plays on Saturday, he’ll likely come up against Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta throughout the contest, arguably the most consistent defender in the league since his arrival back in 2012.

The Spanish international has been excellent as both a right-back and a left-back during his time in West London, before seamlessly adapting to Conte’s back three this term, with his strength and reading of the game, as well as ability to play down the side, perfect for the right side of the three.

It means that, should Sanchez play down the left, it will be up to the 27-year-old to get tight to him and allow him little time to pick a pass or cross, or indeed cut inside, where he has had success this term.

It should be a fascinating battle between two quality players on Saturday.

Diego Costa vs Laurent Koscielny

Similar to the above battle, this one sees two of the best in the league at what they do pit their wits against each other at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa tops the goal-scoring charts alongside Alexis Sanchez this season with 15 goals for the Blues – the latest of which coming in their 2-0 win over Hull on January 22, the game after his apparent disagreement with the club and a big money bid from China for the forward.

However, he seems to have put that behind him, with his display against the Tigers full of commitment and endeavour, and not one that suggests his immediate future lies away from Stamford Bridge.

Costa missed a penalty at Liverpool in midweek, a spot-kick that probably would’ve ended the title race, yet he’ll have to pick himself up as he faces a tough challenge against Laurent Koscielny tomorrow.

The French international has been the bedrock of the Arsenal defence in recent years, this all after an unconvincing start in English football when he moved from Lorient back in 2010.

Yet, the 31-year-old is now one of the best defenders in the league, and has the strength, tenacity, and discipline to frustrate Costa and keep him quiet.

It won’t be quite as easy as that, but if Koscielny can minimise Costa’s influence tomorrow, Arsenal will have a chance of getting the points they need to stay in the title race.