Exciting Clash Ahead
After a week of relishing our recent victory in the north London derby, we gear up for another thrilling Premier League encounter this Sunday against Chelsea at 4.30pm.
Familiar Foes
The two teams are no strangers to each other, having met in January and February. This match marks their fourth encounter this season, with Chelsea eager to avenge their defeats in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final. However, to turn the tide, they will need to alter their current trajectory.
We have maintained an unbeaten streak against the Blues in our last ten meetings across all competitions. Chelsea has struggled during their visits to N5, returning home empty-handed in seven of their last nine outings at the Emirates Stadium, including the last four.
Blues Struggling for Points
Since their last trip to the Emirates on February 3, Chelsea has gone unbeaten in four matches. However, manager Liam Rosenior will be disappointed with the mere five points accrued from their last three league fixtures.
After a victory against Crystal Palace in January, they managed a 3-1 win at Wolves, but home draws against Leeds United and Burnley—where they squandered leads in both—have left them precariously 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 in the Premier League.
On a brighter note, they progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a commanding 4-0 win over Rosenior’s former club, Hull City, setting up a clash with 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
In his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta emphasized the significance of the upcoming match: “We understand the importance of this game and the caliber of the team we will face. Our preparation must be top-notch to earn the right to win. What happened in the past is irrelevant; every match is a new context.”
On the other side, Rosenior stated: “I want the players to be physically and mentally fresh. They have shown great form in training. We need to remain calm and consistent. This club belongs in the Champions League, and we are in the race for it. Arsenal is a well-coached team, and it’s our job to identify their weaknesses and enjoy this significant match on Sunday.”
Injury Updates
Ben White missed the Tottenham match due to a muscle issue, while Kai Havertz has been sidelined for 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 after receiving a red card in the draw against Burnley, and Estevao will also miss out due to a hamstring injury. Marc Cucurella and Jamie Gittens are in the same boat. Backup goalkeeper Filip Jorgenson has been out for a month, while Levi Colwill is still recovering from 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, noted 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 usual 4-2-3-1 setup, which features Cole Palmer or Enzo Fernandez alternating between narrow wide positions and the No.10 role. However, this can create a slightly unbalanced shape.
The Blues enjoyed a 55% possession rate during their last visit and average 58.7% in the league. They prefer to build from the back through central midfield, drawing opponents in before quickly switching play to the flanks.
Chelsea boasts the highest expected goals (xG) in the league. Fernandez’s late runs into the box pose a significant threat, while Pedro Neto is known for his speed and directness on the wing. Palmer’s left foot is a constant danger from anywhere in the final third, and Joao Pedro, with seven goals in his last nine matches, is formidable in the air.
However, Chelsea has shown vulnerability in defending set pieces in their last three meetings, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez struggling to handle in-swinging deliveries into his six-yard box. Will Rosenior leave three players upfield for corners, as he did last month? This could aid Sanchez but might also leave space for Arsenal players to capitalize.
Statistics to Note
- Chelsea is winless in their last eight Premier League encounters with Arsenal, marking their longest drought since a 19-match stretch from 1995 to 2005.
- Arsenal has won 17 of their 21 home games this season, scoring 51 goals while conceding just 12, and they have kept three consecutive clean sheets at home.
- Since December 2019, Mikel Arteta has lost only one of 15 matches against Chelsea in all competitions (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 this season, the highest in the league.
- Ebere Eze has scored all six of his goals this season in London derbies.
- Martin Odegaard has been involved in seven goals in his last seven league starts against Chelsea.
Match Officials
Darren England will officiate the match, having previously overseen eight games involving Arsenal, with the Gunners winning six. This will be his fourth Chelsea match this season, where they have recorded a win, a draw, and a 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 place in the Carabao Cup final.
In the previous season, Chelsea suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat at the Emirates, with White scoring twice and Havertz netting another pair.
Live Coverage
Join us for Live From N5 this Sunday, starting an hour before kick-off, featuring Nicole Holliday and Jeremie Aliadiere in the studio. Engage with our community, relive Arsenal’s historic goals, and enjoy live commentary from Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke.
Find out which broadcaster will show the match live, wherever you are in the world.
You may also like
