Premier League 2018-19: 3 key battles that will decide the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea

Gameweek 23 will feature one of the most mouthwatering clashes in the Premier League, as Arsenal host Chelsea in a crucial game concerning the League table. The Gunners are six points behind their opposition this weekend, and a defeat could end their hopes of a top-four finish and a potential Champions League football spot next season.

On the other hand, Maurizio Sarri will be aware of both Arsenal and Manchester United breathing down Chelsea's neck and will aim to get maximum points from this fixture to further strengthen their hold on the fourth place.

After an impressive start to the campaign, both sides have looked shaky in recent times, failing to maintain a level of consistency in their performance. However, often in these big matches, an individual moment of brilliance could turn a game on his head. Both Arsenal and Chelsea have enough quality in their ranks, and it will be interesting to see who can hold their nerves in this tense encounter.

Here's a look at the three key clashes that could decide the outcome of the fixture and potentially the top four race at the end of the season.

#3 Kolasinac/Iwobi vs. César Azpilicueta

The Spaniard is the stalwart of Chelsea's back-line.

Arsenal has been struggling to put up consistent performances lately, with the top four seemingly looking impossible as time passes by. However, a couple of individuals who have stood out despite disappointing results are Saed Kolasinac and Alex Iwobi. Both of them play down the left flank, which is the source of most of Arsenal's attack going forward.

Iwobi drifts inside, which allows the Bosnian Kolasinac the width down the flanks, while continually marauding forward to provide crosses to the strikers to tuck in. They will be up against the dependable César Azpilicueta, who will be leading his team out again at the Emirates this Saturday.

The Chelsea right-back cannot let his guard down at any moment, else it could be challenging to keep up with the pace that the Gunners posses on that side. If he can manage to keep both Iwobi and Kolasinac quiet, it could be a long night for the home side in their pursuit to close the gap to three points with Chelsea.

#2 Hector Bellerin vs. Eden Hazard

Unai Emery clarified around Christmas that Hector Bellerin would be out for few weeks due to an injury. In his absence, Ainsley Maitland-Niles played down the right-hand side for a few games and put in a decent performance. However, Bellerin did return last week in the defeat against West Ham United and is expected to start against Chelsea this weekend.

The Spaniard brings pace and liveliness to the side. He often moves forward to help the strikers and given his speed and agility, he could afford to provide any opposition player a yard and still catch him without much difficulty.

Against the Blues, Bellerin will have to deal with guile and trickery instead of pacy wingers. Eden Hazard's movement and skill are a nightmare for any defender to play against. Hazard shields the ball well and rarely gets disposed of it. The Belgian started the season off to a flyer and was the league's top scorer at one point. Though the goals have dried up a bit, he still creates a lot of chances, and on his day, Eden can win any game singlehandedly.

#1 Aubameyang vs. Rüdiger/Luiz

Aubameyang would want to put the West Ham disappointment behind him.

Chelsea was always known as a club who likes to defend deep and rest on individual brilliance or counter attacks to win games. However, that norm has been banished by new manager Maurizio Sarri, who prefers being on the front foot and play out from the back. The Italian prefers ball-playing center halves, which has kept Gary Cahill out of the side.

The Blues are slightly better defensively with both Antonio Rüdiger and David Luiz becoming the first choice center backs under Sarri. Rüdiger's robustness coupled up with David's ability with the ball has helped the side create a few chances from the defense, which includes a couple of long balls played by Luiz for the forwards to score off.

The two central defenders would have to be at their best against the Premier League joint top scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. His partnership with Alexandre Lacazette has been fruitful for Unai Emery who is expected to start both of them together against Chelsea.

Aubameyang's movement around the six-yard box, along with his goal scoring instinct, could make life difficult for the Chelsea back line. He had an off day against West Ham United and would be determined to get back to once again scoring goals for his side.