Arsenal vs Chelsea Premier League preview, team news and prediction

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Chelsea’s unbeaten Premier League run under Liam Rosenior faces its toughest challenge yet on Sunday, as the Blues travel to face Arsenal—the only team to have beaten them since Rosenior took charge. The Gunners return to the Emirates on a high after a commanding 4-1 win over Tottenham, while Chelsea were left frustrated by a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Burnley.

Eberechi Eze, who has struggled to find his best form since joining Arsenal, once again delivered against Spurs, scoring twice alongside a brace from Viktor Gyokeres. Despite a brief scare after Randal Kolo Muani capitalized on a Declan Rice error, Arsenal responded emphatically, restoring their five-point lead at the top of the table—though Manchester City could close the gap if they beat Leeds on Saturday.

Arteta’s side have rebuilt their home fortress since January’s defeat to Manchester United, winning four straight at the Emirates with three consecutive clean sheets and eight goals scored. While Chelsea have collected 14 points from their last 18 league games—slightly better than Arsenal’s 11—they’ve shown signs of vulnerability. After bouncing back from a draw with Leeds by thrashing Hull City in the FA Cup, Chelsea again dropped points at home to a newly-promoted side, conceding a late equalizer to Burnley. That result leaves them fifth, three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, and the match was marred by incidents of racist abuse towards Wesley Fofana and Hannibal Mejbri.

Nonetheless, Chelsea remain unbeaten in the league under Rosenior, who could become the first English manager since Tim Sherwood in 2013-14 to win his first three Premier League away games. However, Rosenior has already suffered two defeats to Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-finals, and Chelsea haven’t beaten the Gunners since August 2021. Arsenal, meanwhile, boast a 10-match unbeaten run against Chelsea.

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Arsenal had a brief scare when Bukayo Saka twisted his ankle late on against Spurs, but with no post-match update from Mikel Arteta, the England winger appears likely to be available for the derby. Kai Havertz (thigh), Max Dowman (ankle), and Ben White—who missed the Spurs match with a knock—have not been ruled out, leaving long-term absentee Mikel Merino (foot) as the only confirmed player missing for the Gunners. Martin Odegaard returned from a knee issue as a second-half substitute last weekend but may once again make way for Eberechi Eze, who has scored his last 11 Premier League goals in London.

For Chelsea, manager Liam Rosenior will have to make a change in defense after Wesley Fofana’s red card against Burnley, which means a one-match suspension. Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to step in, but Rosenior also faces fitness concerns over Marc Cucurella (thigh), Estevao Willian (thigh), Dario Essugo (unspecified), and Filip Jorgensen (unspecified). Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (thigh), Levi Colwill (knee), and Mykhaylo Mudryk—now holding the record for the longest suspension in Premier League history—are all ruled out for the trip to the Emirates.

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