Fernando Torres has been preferred to fellow striker Demba Ba for Chelsea's home encounter against Arsenal this afternoon.

The Spaniard will feature as lone frontman at Stamford Bridge, with Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar all starting in an advanced midfield roles.

Meanwhile, the visiting Gunners will be without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski, both of whom are ill.

Theo Walcott will start wide on the right, which in turn has handed Olivier Giroud a chance up front.

Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Lampared; Oscar, Mata, Hazard; Torres

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Coquelin, Wilshere, Diaby, Cazorla, Walcott; Giroud