Preview: Chelsea vs Arsenal – prediction, team news, line-ups

Stamford Bridge forms the backdrop for Saturday’s mouth-watering Premier League London derby showdown as Chelsea trade tackles with arch-nemesis Arsenal, and if you are looking to watch the game in person, you can buy Chelsea vs Arsenal tickets on Seatsnet at competitive prices.

The Gunners will head into the blockbuster encounter sitting second on the Premier League table, with only a marginally inferior goal difference keeping them trailing leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

Raheem Sterling inspired Chelsea’s emphatic 4-1 comeback victory over newly promoted Burnley last time out, with the Englishman heavily involved in all four goals.

Despite breaking the deadlock through Wilson Odobert, the Clarets succumbed to a thumping defeat courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer, Sterling, and Nicolas Jackson, which followed an initial own goal from Ameen Al-Dakhil.

The recent victory marked Chelsea’s first three-game winning streak in all competitions since March 2023, but their 11th-placed standing in the Premier League still requires significant improvement.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side could extend their winning streak to three Premier League games on the bounce for the first time since October last year.

However, they have lost both of their last top-flight home contests to Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest by a 1-0 scoreline, which coincidentally proved enough for Arsenal to edge past Manchester City.

Arsenal finally ended their voodoo against Man City, securing a slender 1-0 victory courtesy of a late strike from Gabriel Martinelli, which deflected off Nathan Ake.

The victory came in the wake of a disappointing 2-1 Champions League defeat to Lens, but the Gunners have maintained their Premier League unbeaten run before the international break.

Arteta’s side are level on points (20) and goal difference (+10) with Tottenham, but the Lilywhites sit at the pinnacle of the Premier League by scoring two more goals.

However, with Ange Postecoglou’s team not in action until Monday, three points could propel Arsenal to the top of the table, at least until the weekend fixtures unfold.

A win at Stamford Bridge would mark the first time in the club’s storied history that they have kicked off a Premier League season with four wins and four clean sheets on the road.

Match Preview

Arsenal

As well as being one of two teams still unbeaten in the Premier League this season (W6, D2), Arsenal boasts a rock-solid defence that has kept the most clean sheets (4) and conceded the fewest goals (6) in the division thus far.

Arsenal’s away form this season only adds to their impressive run, having won their three away league fixtures this term by an aggregate scoreline of 6-0.

Only twice have the Gunners won their first four on the road in a league season (1903/04 and 2004/05) and they will be determined to replicate the success against Chelsea at the weekend.

This is also the second occasion that the Gunners have maintained a clean sheet in their first three away league games since 1995/96.

The last time they attempted four in a row, they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Saturday’s hosts Chelsea in their fourth fixture on the road.

Arsenal also boasts a remarkable record in London derbies, going unbeaten in their last 15 league encounters (W11, D4), making it the third-longest such run in Premier League history.

They have enjoyed enormous success on Chelsea’s turf, winning their last three league games at Stamford Bridge and could become the first side to win four in a row against the Blues since Watford between 1981 and 1986.

Arteta will also be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Chelsea again, considering he has emerged victorious in five of his eight Premier League games against them, boasting a 62.5 win percentage (D1, L2).

Of all the managers who have led teams against Chelsea more than five times, only Kenny Dalglish (76.9%) and Pep Guardiola (64.3%) have a higher win rate against the Blues than the Arsenal boss.

Chelsea

Despite Arsenal’s commendable defensive record, Chelsea will fancy their chances of piercing their fierce rearguard after netting more goals in their last two league games (6) than they had in their initial six this term (5).

The Blues have won their last two Premier League games, but not since the latter stages of 2022 have they strung together three wins on the trot.

Chelsea will also be determined to avoid losing three consecutive fixtures at the Bridge – a record that last occurred in November 1993, with the third defeat in that run coming against Arsenal (0-2).

They have lost five of their last six league meetings with Arsenal (W1), as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 25 against them (W14, D6).

However, Pochettino’s arrival could signal the end of Chelsea’s awful home run against Arsenal, considering the Argentine tactician has never lost a home league fixture against the Gunners (W3, D3).

Throughout Pochettino’s 13 league encounters with Arsenal, his teams have failed to score in only two games, although they have never scored more than twice in any match.

Chelsea also face a daunting statistic, considering an astonishing 27 players who have previously featured for the Blues have managed to score against them, more than any other side in the division’s history.

That said, Chelsea will do well to marshall Havertz when he returns to the Bridge, despite the German’s paltry goalscoring Premier League record (20 goals in 99 outings).

Team News

For Chelsea, the return of Reece James from injury is on the horizon, but the club is wary of rushing him back into action after his most recent setback.

Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk are expected to be fit for the upcoming clash despite picking up knocks while on international duty, which is a welcome boost for Chelsea.

Benoit Badiashile and Carney Chukwuemeka are likely to be fit enough to make the bench. But the same can’t be said for Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana or Christopher Nkunku, who remain sidelined. 

Romeo Lavia has also experienced a setback in his recovery, prolonging his long-awaited Chelsea debut.

Arsenal, on the other hand, may see the return of Bukayo Saka, who missed their thrilling victory over Man City before the international break.

The 22-year-old withdrew from the England squad to focus on his recovery, and his potential availability provides a massive boost for the Gunners.

Martinelli is also back in action, but Leandro Trossard is nursing a knock, while Thomas Partey is gradually working his way back to full fitness. 

Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber remains confined to the treatment room as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Chelsea potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): Robert Sanchez; Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill; Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher; Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling.

Arsenal possible starting line-up:

(4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey; Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli.

We say: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal’s admirable defensive record away from home will come under threat against a reinvigorated Chelsea team, who have persevered amidst their ongoing injury crisis.

However, while the Blues have begun finding their feet under Pochettino’s leadership, another setback could be on the horizon, with Arsenal eager to maintain their unbeaten run.