Exciting Clash Ahead
After a week of relishing our latest victory in the north London derby, we gear up for another thrilling Premier League encounter on Sunday against Chelsea at 4.30pm.
Familiar Foes
The two teams are no strangers to each other, having already met in January and February. This match marks their fourth encounter of the 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 defy recent trends.
We have maintained an unbeaten streak against Chelsea in our last 10 meetings across all competitions. The Blues have struggled on their visits to N5, returning home empty-handed in seven of their last nine matches at the Emirates Stadium, including the last four.
Blues’ Recent Form
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 five points accumulated from their last three league games. After a solid win against Crystal Palace in January, they managed a 3-1 victory at Wolves but faltered with home draws against Leeds United and Burnley, where they squandered leads in both matches. This has left them clinging to a top-five position by goal difference, having dropped 19 points from winning positions, second only to West Ham United’s 20.
On a brighter note, they progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over Hull City, setting up a clash with Wrexham next weekend. In the Champions League, they face the formidable Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.
Managerial Insights
Arteta: “We understand the significance of this match and the challenge that lies ahead. Our focus is on preparing effectively to earn the right to win. Past performances are irrelevant; every game is unique, and we are ready for this one.”
Rosenior: “I want the players to be as fresh as possible, both mentally and physically. They have shown great form in training. We must remain calm and consistent. 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 this significant match on Sunday.”
Team News
- Ben White missed the Tottenham match due to a muscle issue.
- Kai Havertz has been sidelined for three games with a thigh injury.
- Mikel Merino is out with a foot injury.
- 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.
- Estevao missed the last match due to a hamstring injury and will continue to be unavailable.
- Marc Cucurella and Jamie Gittens are also out with similar injuries.
- Backup goalkeeper Filip Jorgenson has been unavailable for a month.
- Levi Colwill has been out for the entire season with an ACL injury.
- Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended, but Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are nearing fitness for selection.
Tactical Considerations
Adrian Clarke, in the official matchday programme, notes that it will be intriguing to see if Rosenior sticks with the 3-5-2 formation used in the Carabao Cup semi-final or reverts to his preferred 4-2-3-1. The latter allows Cole Palmer or Enzo Fernandez to alternate between a narrow wide position and the No.10 role, but this can create an unbalanced shape.
In their last visit, Chelsea enjoyed 55% possession and typically 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.
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 wings. Palmer’s left foot is a danger 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 previous three encounters, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez struggling to deal with in-swinging deliveries. It will be interesting to see if Rosenior opts to leave three players upfield during corners, as he did last month, which could aid Sanchez but also leave space for Arsenal players to exploit.
Statistics to Note
- Chelsea is winless in their last eight Premier League matches against Arsenal, marking their longest such streak since 1995-2005.
- Arsenal has won 17 of their 21 home matches across all competitions this season, scoring 51 goals and conceding just 12.
- The Gunners have kept three consecutive clean sheets at home, starting with a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final.
- Since December 2019, Mikel Arteta’s side has lost only one of 15 matches against Chelsea (W10 D4).
- Arsenal has lost just one of their last 25 Premier League London derbies.
- Chelsea has received six red cards this season, the most of any club.
- Ebere Eze has scored all six of his goals this season in London derbies.
- 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.
Match Officials
Darren England will officiate the match, having refereed Arsenal eight times previously, with the Gunners winning six of those matches. This will be his fourth Chelsea game 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 time they achieved more consecutive wins being between 1990 and 1994. Just four weeks ago, a late Havertz goal secured Arsenal’s place in the Carabao Cup final with a 4-2 aggregate win, while nearly a year ago, Merino scored the only goal in another narrow victory.
In their previous encounter, Chelsea suffered a heavy defeat, losing 5-0, with White scoring twice and Havertz adding 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. 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.
Test your memory of Arsenal’s historic goals with Invisigoals, and discover the latest Hero of the Week and Hall of Fame inductees. We’ll also showcase the club’s community initiatives alongside adidas as part of the No More Red campaign.
Live commentary will be provided by Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke, so ensure you tune in via the app and website. Check your local listings for the broadcaster showing the match live.