The Blues head to Arsenal on Monday looking for their first Barclays Premier League victory in six games.

That winless run - their worst in the top flight for more than a decade - has seen the Londoners slip to fourth in the table, three points behind leaders Manchester United and one behind the second-placed Gunners.

It has also coincided with the absence of key players like Terry, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien.

"We've missed some key players at key times and it is a case of keeping everyone fit now over the Christmas period, where we have two games in three days," Terry told the club's official website.

"In the past, we had a big squad and could rotate and put other players in.

"We don't have that now, we have quite a young squad and it's a time for everyone to stay together like we always will.

"Once we've turned that corner, we can move on from there and wait for other teams to slip up, which they will do."

Chelsea's first chance to make up the ground comes at the Emirates, where Arsenal are still without defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Vermaelen has been sidelined since August with an Achilles injury that was initially thought would only rule him out for a few days.

But the Belgian centre-back has now had the end of January earmarked for his comeback and Wenger admits the next few training sessions will be critical.

"Thomas has been out for a long time and we are hopeful he will come back in January," said Wenger.

"He's had a few setbacks and the decider on whether he plays a part this season is now because he is practising again.

"If he has another setback I don't know what the medical staff will do.

"But overall they look quite optimistic he will be back in January."

On Boxing Day, Manchester United have the chance to strengthen their position at the top of the standings when they host Sunderland.

But a shock loss to the side which stunned Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge would give Manchester City the chance to go top with victory at Newcastle.

And boss Roberto Mancini has offered some words of advice to striker Mario Balotelli, who was disappointing in Monday's defeat by Everton, ahead of the clash.

"He must improve in this situation," said Mancini.

"You need to smile to play football. That is the best thing you can do."

Ninth-placed Liverpool will be out for revenge when they take on Blackpool, the team who inflicted their most embarrassing defeat of the season so far with a 2-1 win at Anfield in October.

And Reds boss Roy Hodgson has told his team to start converting chances if they are to move up the table.

"I think we've had our chances and created danger, but I don't think we have converted enough," he told the club website.

"It's something we are working on. We do have goalscorers in the team and we have one of Europe's best in Fernando Torres. He doesn't need reminding if he misses a goal chance because I bet you he could recall every one he has missed in the past four months - they stay with people.

"The important thing is that players keep getting in the right positions and if we get Fernando into positions where he can score goals, he will score goals."

Elsewhere, fifth-placed Tottenham travel to Aston Villa.

There is a basement battle at Molineux where Wolves host Wigan and Fulham take on bottom club West Ham.

Blackburn, who yesterday appointed Steve Kean as manager until the end of the season, entertain Stoke, Everton host Birmingham and Bolton meet West Brom.