Anticipation Builds for Chelsea vs Arsenal
After relishing our recent victory in the north London derby, we gear up for another exciting Premier League showdown on Sunday against Chelsea at 4.30pm.
The two teams are no strangers to each other, having met in January and February, and now they face off for the fourth time this season. Chelsea will be 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.
Our team remains unbeaten in the last ten encounters across all competitions against Chelsea, who have struggled during their visits to N5 in recent years. In fact, they have returned home empty-handed from seven of their last nine matches at the Emirates Stadium, including the last four.
Blues Struggle with Dropped Points
Since their last trip to the Emirates on February 3, Chelsea has managed to stay unbeaten in their four subsequent matches. However, manager Liam Rosenior will be disappointed with just five points from their last three league outings.
After a win against Crystal Palace in January, they secured a 3-1 victory at Wolves, but 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 (20) has dropped more points from winning positions than Chelsea’s 19.
Progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup came with a convincing 4-0 win over Rosenior’s former club, Hull City, setting up a clash with Wrexham next weekend. Meanwhile, the Champions League last 16 draw has pitted them against the formidable Paris Saint-Germain.
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 effectively to earn the right to win. Past performances, whether from two weeks or two years ago, hold no weight now. Each game presents a unique context, influenced by player changes and team morale, but the stakes are different, and we are ready.”
Rosenior: “I want our players to be as physically and mentally fresh as possible. They’ve 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 compact defensive shape and excellent set-piece execution. 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 continues to recover from a foot injury, and Max Dowman is working on his fitness with the under-21s after two months out.
Wesley Fofana is suspended following a red card in the draw against Burnley, while Estevao is also out with a hamstring issue. Marc Cucurella and Jamie Gittens are unavailable for the same reason. Backup goalkeeper Filip Jorgenson has been absent for a month, and Levi Colwill is out for the season with an ACL injury. Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended, but Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are nearing a return to fitness.
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 used in the Carabao Cup semi-final or sticks with his preferred 4-2-3-1. The latter allows Cole Palmer or Enzo Fernandez to alternate between wide and central roles, though this can create a lopsided shape.
In their last visit, Chelsea enjoyed 55% 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 wings.
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 a direct threat on the flanks. Palmer’s left foot is a constant danger from the final third, and Joao Pedro, who has scored seven goals in his last nine games, is formidable in the air.
However, Chelsea has struggled defensively with set pieces in recent encounters, and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has shown uncertainty when dealing with in-swinging deliveries. Will Rosenior leave three players upfield for corners as he did last month? This could help Sanchez but may also leave space for Arsenal to exploit.
Key Stats and Facts
- 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, with 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 once in their last 25 Premier League London derbies, with their only defeat coming against West Ham last February.
- Chelsea has received six red cards this season, the highest in the league and their joint-most 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, with five of those coming at the Emirates.
Match Officials
Darren England will officiate the match, having overseen Arsenal six times previously, with the Gunners winning six of those encounters. This will be his fourth Chelsea match this season, with the Blues recording one win, one draw, and one loss in his officiating.
Looking Back at Previous Encounters
Arsenal has triumphed in their last three home league matches against Chelsea, with the most recent victory coming just four weeks ago when a late goal from Havertz secured a 4-2 aggregate win in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Last year, Merino’s solitary goal clinched another narrow victory.
In their last visit, Chelsea suffered a heavy defeat, falling 5-0, with White scoring twice and Havertz netting two more after Trossard opened the scoring.
Live Coverage Details
Join us for Live From N5 on Sunday, starting an hour before kick-off, featuring Nicole Holliday and Jeremie Aliadiere in the studio. Engage with our Reddit community, test your memory of Arsenal goals, and catch up with our women’s squad at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Live commentary will be provided by Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke, so make sure to tune in via the app and website!
Check local listings for broadcasters showing the match live.