Wilkins wants more from Essien and Mikel

The two Chelsea midfielders have been put under special orders to give the team an edge against Arsenal, and for the rest of the campaign.

LONDON // After the bloody nose sustained by the 1-0 defeat at Manchester City last week, Chelsea seek to re-assert their presence at the pinnacle of the Premier League with a defining display against title adversaries Arsenal at Stamford Bridge today. And two Chelsea players have been put under special orders to give the team an edge in this showdown of London's super powers, and for the rest of the campaign.

After missing the second half of last season through injury, Michael Essien has returned to the Chelsea team to much acclaim thus far while the maturing John Obi Mikel has started to assert himself as one of the most dominant midfield players in England. Along with summer signing Ramires, the Brazil international, they have formed a midfield trio to compensate for the absence of the injured Frank Lampard - out for at least two more weeks with a groin injury.

But Ray Wilkins, Chelsea's assistant manager, feels that both must start contributing more to the goals-for column.

"A couple of weeks ago Michael scored two goals at West Ham with great headers and after the second he ran over to us in the dugout, with a big cheesy grin and gave me a big hug. "Why? Because at the start of the season I impressed on him he should be scoring more goals. He is almost the complete midfielder. He can defend. He can attack. He is fast, strong and can pass," said Wilkins who was performing media duties for Chelsea while Carlo Ancelotti, the manager, was away on compassionate leave after the death of his father.

"As for John, well he has been tremendous for us but Carlo and I have impressed on him to make more forward passes and even though he has been playing deep he should have more shots on goal. He could do with scoring a few more, too."