Di Matteo rings the changes for Gunners clash

Roberto Di Matteo made as many changes as realistically possible for Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League clash at Arsenal today.

Only John Terry, Gary Cahill and Petr Cech were not rested from Wednesday night’s Champions League win over Barcelona, with Michael Essien, Oriol Romeu and Ryan Bertrand all making rare starts.

Laurent Koscielny returned from suspension for Arsenal, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey were also drafted in for the injured Mikel Arteta and ineligible Yossi Benayoun.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ramsey, Song, Walcott, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, van Persie.

Subs: Fabianski, Diaby, Andre Santos, Djourou, Gervinho, Chamakh, Coquelin.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Cahill, Terry, Bertrand, Essien, Romeu, Malouda, Sturridge, Torres, Kalou.

Subs: Turnbull, Cole, Lampard, Mata, Mikel, Meireles, Ferreira.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)