Special title chase for Jose

When Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea, he did it with the Champions League at the back of his mind.

After an acrimonious departure from Stamford Bridge early in the 2007-08 season, the "Special One" came back to London with the aim of lifting the trophy he delivered at FC Porto and Inter Milan.

But the Blues are not in the best of form as they begin their bid for a third consecutive piece of European silverware against FC Basel tonight.

Chelsea, who won the Europa League last season following their Champions League triumph in 2012, have failed to win their last three matches in all competitions and were handed their first defeat of the season in the Premier League at Everton last weekend.

"After one defeat you just want the next match to come as soon as possible, and probably the Champions League is the best way," Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata said.

"These nights at Stamford Bridge have a different feeling, even more so since we won the title two years ago. This competition brings great memories to all of us and makes us feel really excited."

Mourinho is likely to be excited, too, even though the Portuguese coach won't be remembered as the "First One" if he ends up winning the Champions League with Chelsea this season. The former Real Madrid coach was a spectator when the Blues defeated Bayern Munich to win the prestigious trophy under Roberto di Matteo.

"When I was watching, I was with the Blues," said Mourinho, who won the Premier League and League Cup twice and the FA Cup once during his first reign at the London club. "The side was full of players from my time and you know they suffered a lot.

"They deserved to win the Champions League. It's a competition that has a special aura. Everybody wants to reach the 'El Dorado' of football. It is a club competition for excellence so it has some magic."

Against Basel, Mourinho is likely to make tactical changes after midfielder John Obi Mikel picked up a knee injury against Everton.

Ramires is suspended and Frank Lampard should get a spot in the starting team.

The Swiss team lost 5-2 on aggregate to Chelsea in the Europa League semifinals last season and prepared their next trip to England by edging fourth-tier side Muensingen 1-0 in a Swiss Cup match.

In-form Arsenal face Marseille tonight wary of the need to hit the ground running in what was just about the toughest group they could have been given.

The Gunners have won their last five matches in all competitions, and sit in a lofty position at the top of the Premier League after Saturday's 3-1 win at Sunderland.

That sequence of results, combined with the feel-good factor generated by the arrival of record signing Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid, ensures that confidence is high in Arsene Wenger's squad.