Double-header weekend to settle placings

Chelsea have snapped out of their early season slump8212;just in time to face Premier League...

Chelsea have snapped out of their early season slump8212;just in time to face Premier League leaders Arsenal with a chance of extending their four-year unbeaten run against the Gunners. The Blues picked up just 11 points from their first seven matches, but have closed to within three points of Arsenal going into Sunday8217;s match at Emirates Stadium8212;with an undefeated record stretching back to September 23.

And with Arsenal having lost at Middlesbrough last weekend, Chelsea could be set to stretch their unbeaten streak against the Gunners to 11 matches. If Chelsea can do that, defending champions Manchester United could take the league lead if they beat fourth-place Liverpool the same day.

Much of the credit for Chelsea8217;s recovery goes to coach Avram Grant, who earned a new four-year contract this week by lifting the players following the surprise departure of his predecessor, Jose Mourinho, in September. 8220;We went through a very difficult period,8221; defender Alex said. 8220;We were all very used to Mourinho and he was a great man.8221;

The Gunners are winless against Chelsea since their unbeaten 2003-04 season yielded home and away victories in the Premier League. And even then, Chelsea knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League.

Victory for Chelsea on Sunday would put them level with Arsenal.

But Arsenal dropped two points at Newcastle before losing for the first time in the Premier League at Middlesbrough, giving the rest of the so-called 8220;big four8221; a chance to trim its lead.

Arsenal have had injury problems, with Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini and Aleksandr Hleb all missing several matches. Netherlands striker Van Persie could start against Chelsea after proving his recovery from a knee problem by playing in the midweek Champions League win over Steaua Bucharest.

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Chelsea are still without injured striker Didier Drogba, while midfielder Michael Essien is serving the last game of a three-match suspension.

United head to Liverpool knowing they have the chance to take first place for the first time this season, but Liverpool are on a high after joining the rest of the big four in the second round of the Champions League.