Pat Nevin: Champions League will affect Arsenal as Chelsea remain fresh and fit

Pat Nevin believes Chelsea will benefit from their lack of involvement in the Champions League by being fresh and fit heading into this weekend's games - while Arsenal are likely to be affected by having to play Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Premier League leaders Chelsea drew 1-1 away to Burnley on Sunday, but now have until Saturday to play their next game - which will be an away trip to face Championship side Wolves in the FA Cup fifth round.

The Blues will then have a full week to prepare for the next league clash with Swansea at Stamford Bridge while Arsenal, who trail Chelsea by 10 points in the standings, face a daunting test away to Bayern in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

The Gunners will then play Sutton United - another away trip - in the FA Cup on Monday.

Nevin believes Arsenal's European commitments over the next few weeks will impact their players physically and mentally while Chelsea will have the advantage of taking a few days of rest as the Blues look to continue marching on toward the league title.

Writing in his column on Chelsea's website, Nevin said: "Some of the current Chelsea lads might even get a little break this week if the boss is feeling particularly generous. Who knows, maybe even a little jaunt to sunnier climes and suddenly the sympathy has totally evaporated again.

"It is however important to use this time wisely because of the amount of travelling and the number of games most of our rivals have to cope with right now compared to us.

"This morning I am off over to Munich to cover the Bayern v Arsenal game and know it will have at least some effect on Wenger’s men.

"Freshness and fitness will be key over the next couple of months as well as the attitude of the players. The weather will soon change and I suspect that will suit us too.

"There are 13 league games left and a few of them will be a grind just like Sunday at Burnley’s tight Turf Moor, but if we show the same sort of attitude every week I suspect we will be okay."