Wenger hopes it will be 13th time lucky as he guns for Chelsea

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will hope to make it 13th time lucky against Jose Mourinho this weekend as his side attempt to delay Chelsea’s coronation as English Premier League champions.

Wenger has never prevailed against Mourinho in 12 attempts and even if he redresses that stat- istic at the Emirates Stadium on Monday (NZ time), it is unlikely to prevent Chelsea from claiming the title.

Having recorded an efficient 1-0 win over third-place Manchester United last weekend, Chelsea are 10 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table with six games left. Victory on Sunday would leave Chelsea needing three points from next week’s trip to Leicester City, currently embroiled in egation battle, to claim league crown since 2010.

But while the championship seems destined for Stamford Bridge, Arsenal have drawn encouragement from a run of nine consecutive wins, including an FA Cup semifinal defeat of Reading.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas will return to the club where he previously spent eight a rela first years — including three as captain — and Wenger hopes he will be spared a hostile reception.

‘‘I want every player to be respected, and Cesc Fabregas when he comes to the Emirates to be respected like he deserves,’’ said the Frenchman, who clashed with Mourinho on the touchline in October’s reverse fixture.

Centre-back Per Mertesacker has a ‘‘50-50’’ chance of playing, according to Wenger, after injuring his ankle in the 2-1 victory over Reading at Wembley.

Midfielders Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both back in training after injury layoffs, but neither is ready to return to first-team action. Chelsea, meanwhile, hope to be able to call upon French striker Loic Remy, who has missed their last two games due to a calf complaint.