Premier League fixture update: When will Arsenal host Chelsea?
Arsenal matches against Chelsea are typically fierce local derbies, but the 2023/24 Premier League fixture at Emirates Stadium is poised to have a significant impact on the Gunners’ title hopes.
Mikel Arteta’s troops lead the way in the Premier League title race heading into the international break, thanks to Kai Havertz’s late winner in the dramatic capital derby triumph over struggling Brentford.
Arsenal, who have been on a goalscoring rampage this year, have their superior goal difference to thank for retaining their place at the summit after title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City shared the spoils in a hugely entertaining 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Not participating in the latter stages of the FA Cup means Arsenal have approximately three weeks to prepare for yet another crucial Premier League outing as they take on Man City in a potential title decider on March 31.
They were supposed to take on Chelsea in the highly anticipated London derby showdown in North London on March 16. But the Blues had FA Cup responsibilities, which impacted the schedule.
Rest assured when the Premier League announces a new date for the clash, you’ll be able to buy Arsenal vs Chelsea tickets from seatsnet.com.
Arsenal and Chelsea very rarely disappoint when they face off. The most recent matchup delivered plenty of drama and talking points as both sides played out an action-packed 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge back in October.
Cole Palmer slotted home a penalty in the opening quarter-hour before a stunning cross-cum-shot from Mykhailo Mudryk three minutes into the second half seemingly put the tie past Arteta’s side.
However, the Gunners proved their title credentials by fighting back, although they were handed a route into the game as Declan Rice pounced on a Robert Sanchez howler to half the deficit inside the final 20 minutes.
Barely five minutes until full time, Bukayo Saka picked out Leandro Trossard at the far post, and the Belgian made no mistake poking home to secure a crucial point for Arsenal at the Bridge.
While we expect the rematch at the Emirates to provide similar fireworks, we may have to wait a while to watch these two have a right go at each other for the last time this season.
The Premier League are yet to announce a date for the rescheduled fixture, but Arsenal’s progress to the Champions League quarter-finals rules out midweek slots in early and mid-April.
After succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against Porto in Portugal, the Gunners responded via an identical scoreline in north London. But extra time wasn’t enough to separate both sides, sending the tie into penalties.
Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Rice all dispatched their spot kicks brilliantly to seal a 4-2 win. David Raya was also in spectacular form, producing two remarkable saves in the shoot-out.
Arsenal may have ended a 14-year absence from the Champions League quarter-finals, but they now have their work cut out as they prepare to face familiar nemesis Bayern Munich in the last eight.
The Champions League quarter-final fixtures are expected to take up the early and mid-April slots, meaning the following midweek of April 22 could be the most likely schedule for the Arsenal v Chelsea fixture.
However, if Arsenal pull off a stunning victory over Bayern to advance to the Champions League semi-finals, the only remaining midweek slot for the remainder of the season would be around May 13 – the final week of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
A silver lining has emerged for Arsenal amidst the chaos of their fixture congestion.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ surprising defeat to Coventry City frees up their schedule on April 20th, originally reserved for a potential FA Cup semi-final.
This means Arsenal’s Premier League trip to Molineux Stadium can now proceed as planned, avoiding a fixture reshuffle and potentially easing the Gunners’ congested schedule.
Five best Arsenal-Chelsea games of the Premier League era
While we await an update on the new schedule, the anticipation opens the door for a peak down the timeline where we flashback on some of the best Arsenal v Chelsea games of the Premier League era.
We’ve been treated to some brilliant encounters over the years, so let’s look back on five of the best Premier League encounters between Arsenal and Chelsea.
2011: Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal
Arsenal and Chelsea served up a goal-fest in October 2011, with a combined eight goals making it the highest-scoring clash between the two sides since the Gunners’ 5-4 win in 1958.
Chelsea took the lead twice in the first half through Frank Lampard and John Terry, with Robin van Persie briefly restoring parity in between.
The Gunners took the lead in the second half thanks to goals from Andre Santos and Theo Walcott, but Juan Mata levelled matters late in the game.
However, a late brace from Van Persie to clinch a hat-trick took the game away from the Blues, handing Arsenal a famous victory at the Bridge.
2022: Chelsea 2-4 Arsenal
Arsenal picked up their biggest win away to Chelsea in over a decade when they put four past Thomas Tuchel’s side in April 2022.
Both sides cancelled out each other in a thoroughly entertaining four-goal thriller in the first half. But the Gunners ultimately came out on top in the second 45 minutes thanks to Eddie Nketiah and a late penalty from Saka.
The result ultimately meant little in the grand scheme of things as Arsenal missed out on the top four, but four goals from their Hale End products gave the fans plenty to cheer about.
2018: Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea
A pulsating see-saw affair unfolded at the Emirates back in January 2018 as Arsenal and Chelsea traded dominance in a four-goal thriller.
Jack Wilshere opened the scoring for Arsenal, but Chelsea swiftly responded via a well-taken penalty from Eden Hazard.
Marcos Alonso looked to have snatched the winner late on, but a last-gasp strike from Hector Bellerin ensured both sides settled for a share of the spoils.
2006: Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea
The game marked the first encounter between both sides after Ashley Cole’s controversial move to Chelsea following his ‘insulting’ contract offer from the Gunners.
The infuriated Arsenal fans decided to air their feelings during the game, throwing fake cash with pictures of Cole onto the pitch.
We were still treated to an entertaining affair as Arsenal took the lead late in the second half before Michael Essien restored parity with a sensational rocket.
2014: Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal
The build-up to the game was dominated by talk of Arsene Wenger’s 1,000th game in charge of the Gunners, but Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea made sure there were no celebrations after the full-time whistle.
Quickfire goals from Samuel Eto’o and Andre Schurrle stunned the Gunners in the opening ten minutes, but that was the least of the drama in the memorable affair.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was penalised for a handball, but somehow, the referee mistook Kieran Gibbs for Chamberlain, sending off the left back instead.
Hazard converted the penalty, but Oscar added a fourth on the stroke of half time before bagging a brace after the hour mark. Mohamed Salah then completed the rout with his first Premier League goal.
