The pecking order at the top of the Premier League could receive a bit of a shake-up this weekend as four of the biggest sides clash, while the champions lurk in the shadows waiting to strike.
Leaders Chelsea, one point clear at the top, are away to London rivals Arsenal while Manchester United, level on points in second with Everton, welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford.
Champions Manchester City, still unbeaten but four points off the pace, are also in London to face Fulham while Everton and West Brom are out to maintain their surprise starts by beating Southampton and Aston Villa respectively.
Chelsea will await the outcome of the FA hearing regarding their captain John Terry before naming their side for the trip to Arsenal.
The verdict into his disciplinary hearing into allegations of racist abuse is expected later on Thursday but if he is clear to play, Chelsea expect him to start against Arsenal.
The 31-year-old played in Chelsea’s Capital One Cup match in midweek and the club have no doubt he will be ready, if free for selection.
“He’s been fine, dealing with the situation at hand, coming in and doing what he has to do at the club,” assistant manager Eddie Newton said.
“We’ve been talking to him, Robbie (manager Roberto Di Matteo)’s been talking to him, and he’s been very positive and upbeat.”
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho this week suggested Arsenal were his dark horses for the title this season, despite losing striker Robin van Persie in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have drawn three of their six matches in the league so far this season but remain unbeaten and Olivier Giroud scored his first goal for the club in midweek.
Wenger, who welcomes back Thomas Vermaelen, said: “If we do well at home against the strong teams it will have a big impact on our chances,” he said.
Theo Walcott, whose reluctance to sign a new contract has been causing Wenger a few headaches, impressed in midweek and his desire to play up front has been noted by his manager.
“I am not against it, not at all,” Wenger said. “We will try. At the moment we have a big competition up front, we have a different formula and the team is doing well.
“His time will come for that and at the moment we have to be a bit patient. He is a great finisher now; in front of goal he is absolutely amazing.”
United welcomed back Wayne Rooney from a month-long injury absence in midweek and the England striker is likely to be used against Tottenham in some form.
With Nemanja Vidic out for two months, Jonny Evans is likely to start alongside Rio Ferdinand in defence.
Tottenham have lost 17 of their past 20 league visits to Old Trafford, winning none but Jan Vertonghen, the Belgian defender who joined Spurs in the summer, believes the London side are good enough to end their barren run.
“I played at Old Trafford last year with Ajax and it’s an amazing atmosphere – I’m really looking forward to my first game there with Tottenham,” he told The Daily Mirror this week. “I think we’re strong enough to do nice things there.
“We’ve played well away from home and we’ve got a lot of confidence especially after our first home win.”
Champions Manchester City will be looking to bounce back from their Capital One Cup exit at the hands of Aston Villa by winning at a Fulham side who sit above them in the table on goal difference.
City have been shakier at the back so far this season than they were last term and defender Kolo Toure admits things need to improve.
“Since the season started we have not had a clean sheet and that is very important when you want to be a top club, you have to defend better as a team,” he said.
“As a defender and as a group we have to work on it because mistakes were done by a few players and when you win it is everybody so when you lose it is everybody.”
Liverpool, looking for their first win to lift themselves out of the bottom three, travel to Norwich while bottom side Reading host Newcastle, Stoke take on Swansea and Sunderland face Wigan, with QPR meeting West Ham on Monday.
