Arsenal stretched their lead at the top of the league to five points this week and their hopes of another double will not be dampened by the prospect of facing Chelsea in the FA Cup this weekend for the fourth time in as many seasons. Chelsea, whose last FA Cup win over holders Arsenal was 57 years ago, have never beaten the north London club in an FA Cup tie at Highbury and have won just one of their last 19 games there. On Sunday, the teams clash once again in the fifth round.In 2001, Arsenal won 3-1 in a fifth-round tie at Highbury on their way to the final, while in 2002 they beat Chelsea 2-0 in the final at Cardiff and last season Arsenal triumphed 3-1 at Stamford Bridge after a 2-2 draw in the sixth round.While Chelsea are trying to impress their Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Arsenal are aiming to become the first team to lift the Cup for a third successive season since Blackburn Rovers in 1884-1886.The Premier League leaders will be encouraged by the fact that Chelsea’s last FA Cup win over their London rivals was in 1946 when they enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the third attempt in a match played at White Hart Lane.Arsenal are likely to field all their big guns on Sunday but will be without midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (ribs), forwards Sylvain Wiltord (ankle) and Jeremie Aliadiere (knee) as well as defender Philippe Senderos (foot). However, Dennis Bergkamp should be back in the reckoning after missing Tuesday’s league victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.Chelsea are still without midfielders Mario Stanic (knee), Emmanuel Petit (knee), Juan Sebastien Veron (back) and Damien Duff (Achilles) as well as defender Celestine Babayaro (hamstring).Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who missed Wednesday’s victory at Portsmouth with a groin strain, should recover in time to replace deputy Neil Sullivan. (Reuters)
