Anticipation Builds for Arsenal vs Chelsea
After relishing our recent victory in the north London derby, we gear up for another exciting Premier League clash on Sunday against Chelsea at 4.30pm.
Familiar Foes Meet Again
The two teams are no strangers to each other, having already faced off in January and February. As we step into March, this marks their fourth encounter of the season, with Chelsea eager to avenge their losses in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final. However, to turn the tide, they will need to alter their current form.
We have maintained an unbeaten streak against the Blues in our last 10 meetings across all competitions. Chelsea has struggled during their recent visits to N5, returning home empty-handed in seven of their last nine outings at the Emirates Stadium, including the last four matches.
Blues Struggling to Capitalize
Since their last trip to the Emirates on February 3, Chelsea has remained unbeaten in their four subsequent matches. However, manager Liam Rosenior will be disappointed with the mere five points accrued from their last three league games.
After a win against Crystal Palace in January, they managed a 3-1 victory at Wolves, but disappointing home draws against Leeds United and Burnley—where they squandered leads—have left them clinging to a top-five position by goal difference. Only West Ham United has dropped more points from winning positions in the league than Chelsea’s 19.
On a brighter note, they progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a convincing 4-0 win over Rosenior’s former team, Hull City, setting up a tie against Wrexham next weekend. Additionally, they face the daunting task of taking on holders Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16.
Voices from the Dugout
Arteta: “We understand the significance of this match and the caliber of the team we will face. Our focus is on preparing thoroughly to earn the right to win. Past performances, whether from two weeks or two years ago, hold no relevance now. Each game presents a unique context, influenced by player changes and team morale, but the stakes are high, and we are ready.”
Rosenior: “I want my players to be as physically and mentally prepared as possible. They have shown great form in training this week. We must remain calm and consistent in our approach. This club belongs in the Champions League, and we are in the race. Arsenal is a well-coached team with a solid defensive structure, and it’s our job to identify their weaknesses and enjoy what promises to be a significant match on Sunday.”
Injury Updates
Ben White missed the Tottenham match due to a muscle issue, while Kai Havertz has been sidelined for the last three games with a thigh injury.
Mikel Merino is still recovering from a foot injury, and Max Dowman is working on his fitness with the under-21s after a two-month absence.
Wesley Fofana is suspended following a red card in the draw against Burnley, while Estevao will also miss out due to a hamstring issue. Marc Cucurella and Jamie Gittens are both unavailable for the same reason.
Backup goalkeeper Filip Jorgenson has been out for a month, and Levi Colwill has not featured this season due to an ACL injury. Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended, but Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are nearing fitness and could be available soon.
Tactical Insights
Adrian Clarke, in the official matchday programme, notes that it will be intriguing to see if Rosenior opts for the 3-5-2 formation he used in the Carabao Cup semi-final or sticks with his usual 4-2-3-1 setup. This formation allows Cole Palmer or Enzo Fernandez to rotate between narrow wide positions and the No.10 role, although it can create a lopsided shape.
In their last visit, Chelsea controlled 55% of possession and averages 58.7% in the Premier League. They prefer to build from the back through central midfield, drawing opponents in before quickly switching play to the flanks.
Notably, Chelsea boasts the highest expected goals (xG) in the league. Fernandez’s late runs into the box are particularly dangerous, while Pedro Neto is effective in wide areas. Palmer’s left foot poses a threat from anywhere in the final third, and Joao Pedro, who has scored seven goals in his last nine games, is a formidable aerial presence.
However, Chelsea has shown vulnerability in defending set pieces in their last three encounters, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez struggling to deal with in-swinging deliveries. Will Rosenior leave three players upfield during corners, as he did last month? This could help Sanchez but might leave the box open for Arsenal to capitalize.
Statistics and Records
- Chelsea is winless in their last eight Premier League matches against Arsenal, marking their longest drought since a 19-match streak between 1995 and 2005.
- Arsenal has won 17 of their 21 home games across all competitions this season, scoring 51 goals and conceding just 12, while keeping three consecutive clean sheets at home.
- Since Mikel Arteta’s second game in charge in December 2019, Arsenal has lost only one of 15 matches against Chelsea (W10 D4).
- Arsenal has lost just one of their last 25 Premier League London derbies, a 1-0 defeat to West Ham last February.
- Chelsea has received six red cards in the Premier League this season, the most of any club and matching their highest total in a single season.
- Ebere Eze has scored all six of his goals this season in London derbies, while Viktor Gyokeres has been involved in 10 goals in his last 12 appearances.
- Martin Odegaard has contributed to seven goals in his last seven league starts against Chelsea, making him a key player in this fixture.
Match Officials
Darren England will officiate the match, having previously refereed Arsenal eight times, with the Gunners winning six of those encounters. This will be his fourth Chelsea match this season, where they have recorded one win, one draw, and one loss.
Previous Encounters
Arsenal has won their last three home league matches against Chelsea, with the last victory coming just four weeks ago when a late Havertz goal secured a 4-2 aggregate win in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Nearly a year ago, Merino scored the only goal in another narrow victory.
Prior to that, Chelsea suffered a heavy defeat, losing 5-0, with White scoring twice and Havertz netting two more after Trossard opened the scoring.
Live Coverage
Join us for Live From N5 on Sunday, starting an hour before kick-off, featuring Nicole Holliday and Jeremie Aliadiere in the studio. Our Reddit community will engage with questions for our Invincible, and we’ll highlight the achievements of our women’s squad at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Don’t miss the opportunity to test your knowledge of Arsenal goals from the past with Invisigoals, and we’ll reveal the latest Hero of the Week and Hall of Fame inductees. Live commentary will be provided by Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke, so tune in via the app and website!
Check local listings for TV broadcast details to catch the action live.