A big London derby chelsea vs Arsenal took place on Sunday in the Premier League as Arsenal need a win to travel to Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta has a good record for the Blues, with Chelsea below the Gunners in their previous ten games against rivals in the capital. Thomas Tuchel led their last win of the match.
However, they entered the competition better this weekend than the Gunners, who have won just two of their first six games in all competitions. Arteta’s team is struggling with goals and has lost the last two games 1-0. There were good things from Wednesday night’s defeat to Inter, though.
Chelsea beat Armenian minnows Noah 8-0 in Thursday’s Conference game as Enzo Maresca turned his squad around again. They missed out on a rare win over Manchester United last weekend, landing a 1-1 draw, but ahead of Sunday’s Premier League champions on goal difference.
Chelsea news
Cole Palmer was out of Chelsea training this weekend after being caught late by Lisandro Martinez in Sunday’s draw at Old Trafford. However, Maresca is very sad about the chances of the England international on Sunday, and it will now be a surprise if the playmaker does not start.
The Blues otherwise have few injury concerns. Jadon Sancho is eligible to return on Sunday after missing the Man Utd tour, but the winger could be sidelined with an injury.
Marc Cucurella may return to the club and replace Malo Gusto. If the Spaniard is included, Reece James will start at right back.
chelsea vs Arsenal front row
chelsea vs Arsenal starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Arsenal news
Reports say Declan Rice may have broken his thumb last Saturday at St. James Park, but Arteta has not ruled out the midfielder and may be ready to play through the pain to start.
Martin Odegaard returned from a long-awaited ankle injury on Wednesday, but the Arsenal captain played just minutes at Milan and is unlikely to start at Stamford Bridge. Both Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz are skeptical, but the pair should be good to play. The latter suffered a serious head injury late in the Inter match.
The visitors are still without full-backs Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney.
arsenal vs Chelsea front row
arsenal vs Chelsea Front Row (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
Chelsea vs Arsenal predictions
We’re only ten games into the new Premier League season, yet this already feels like it has to be won by Arsenal, who are ten points behind league leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners’ latest record against Chelsea combined with their inspiring but toothless midweek performance is to be optimistic about the game, but their recent defeat means they will have to go on for a big time if they want to win west London.
The Blues, who should be ready for Palmer, will be desperate to jump into the vulnerable Gunners squad, but remain in development with Maresca in the lead. Last week’s draw at Old Trafford proved that.
This race can go any way, so I’ll sit on the fence and get back the results from last season at Bridge.
Forecast: Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal