Liverpool replaced Arsene Wenger's men as league leaders on Saturday courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City, while Manchester City climbed into second by beating Fulham 4-2.
Arsenal can move back to the summit with victory over Jose Mourinho's men, but defeat would see them slip to fourth with Chelsea moving level on points with the Merseysiders.
Last season's two league clashes ended 2-1 in favour of the men from Stamford Bridge, who also won a League Cup fourth-round meeting at the Emirates Stadium 2-0 earlier in this campaign.
Mourinho is expecting a tougher challenge than his side faced in October's cup clash.
"It's a different competition, with different motivations, different responsibilities, and, in some cases, different players," he said.
"It's a big match for sure. It's still a London derby; it's still Arsenal and Chelsea.
"I'm ready for the game; I'm waiting for the game and I very much want to play the game."
"He (Wilshere) was wrong in his reaction; we just thought it was a one-game ban and that's why we appealed but we are now in a situation where we have to accept it and wait until he comes back, and focus on our next games without him," Wenger said.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby (both knee) remain sidelined.
