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Arsenal is set to continue their momentum following a decisive North London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur, as they prepare to host Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s squad rebounded impressively from concerns regarding a potential title ‘wobble’, securing a commanding 4-1 win against Spurs in Igor Tudor’s debut match. By the time Arsenal steps onto the pitch, they could find themselves just two points behind Manchester City, making a favorable outcome against Chelsea even more crucial.
Liam Rosenior expressed frustration after his team ‘set fire to four points’ by squandering leads against Leeds and Burnley in their latest outings. Chelsea has dropped to fifth place, trailing Manchester United, and they not only seek to disrupt Arsenal’s title ambitions but also need points to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
The last encounter between these two teams occurred in the Carabao Cup semifinal, where Arsenal triumphed 4-2 on aggregate after two tightly contested matches.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s game.
How to watch:
- The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League in the UK, NBC/Peacock in the U.S., JioHotstar in India, and Stan Sport in Australia. Live updates can also be followed on ESPN.
Key Details:
- Kick-off time: Sunday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. GMT (11:30 a.m. ET; 10 p.m. IST; 2:30 a.m. AEST, Monday).
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London.
- Referee: Darren England
- VAR: John Brooks
Injury and Team News:
Arsenal:
- Max Dowman, M: OUT, ankle, estimated return early March
- Mikel Merino, M: OUT, foot, estimated return late May
- Ben White, D: DOUBT, knock
- Kai Havertz, F: DOUBT, muscle
Chelsea:
- Reece James, D: knock, DOUBT
- Jamie Gittens, F: muscle, OUT, estimated return late March
- Romeo Lavia, M: thigh, DOUBT, back in training
- Dário Essugo, M: muscle, DOUBT, back in training
- Marc Cucurella, D: hamstring, OUT, estimated return mid March
- Levi Colwill, D: ACL, OUT, estimated return late April
- Mykhailo Mudryk, F: suspended, OUT
- Wesley Fofana, D: suspended, OUT
- Filip Jørgensen, GK: knock, DOUBT
- Estêvão, F: knock, DOUBT
Talking Points:
Are Arsenal back on track in the title race?
A 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur has extended Arsenal’s lead over Manchester City to five points, and the performance itself has alleviated concerns about Arteta’s team potentially faltering in the title race.
Unlike the anxious squad that previously squandered a two-goal lead against Wolves, Arsenal displayed a more aggressive approach, continuing to push for additional goals after taking the lead. This marks a significant shift from their usual defensive strategy.
Despite recent defensive lapses, a rare week of rest may have allowed the team to recuperate from the mental and physical toll of frequent matches. Arsenal’s title challenge has relied on a solid defense and set-piece effectiveness, both of which have seen a decline recently.
Knowing they can adopt a more fluid style of play when necessary should ease some concerns as they approach the final stretch. However, with Manchester City in formidable form, Arsenal understands that they cannot afford any slip-ups.
How will Liam Rosenior set up tactically?
Liam Rosenior faced criticism for his tactics during the second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal. His defensive setup, despite needing a goal to level the tie, allowed Arsenal to exploit the situation late in the game.
The 4-2 aggregate scoreline did not fully reflect the match’s intensity, as the atmosphere at the Emirates was tense for much of the second leg. Rosenior aimed to capitalize on this psychological edge, but Chelsea typically thrives on offensive play, suggesting a need for a more balanced strategy.
With Wesley Fofana suspended and Reece James and Estêvão both uncertain, Rosenior’s tactical choices may be limited. Chelsea has recorded the highest expected goals (xG) in the league (52.3) but has significantly underperformed, and Rosenior will hope for a turnaround at the Emirates.
Arsenal has conceded 44% of their goals in 2026 due to individual errors, with only Spurs performing worse, indicating that a more aggressive approach from Chelsea could yield results.
Viktor Gyökeres faces a test of his momentum
With 15 goals across all competitions this season, Viktor Gyökeres has outshone fellow summer signings like Hugo Ekitike (14, Liverpool) and João Pedro (14, Chelsea). His performance against Tottenham was undoubtedly his best in an Arsenal jersey, as he effectively exploited Spurs’ defensive weaknesses.
However, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo present a tougher challenge than Spurs’ defense, and Gyökeres may find it harder to assert himself against them. Kai Havertz could potentially return to the starting lineup, and given his history against Chelsea (three goals in 191 minutes), Arteta might consider opting for a striker with more playmaking skills than Gyökeres.
Nonetheless, Gyökeres is in exceptional form this year, contributing to 10 goals in 2026 (one every 85.8 minutes) and scoring four times in his last five matches (one every 80 minutes), so Arteta should likely continue to trust his Swedish striker.
Chelsea’s discipline and composure in the spotlight ahead of tough run of fixtures
Chelsea has dropped 19 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, with only West Ham (20) faring worse. The squad’s youth is a contributing factor, but discipline has also been an issue, as Chelsea has received eight red cards this season, the highest in the league.
Compounding the challenge, Chelsea has a history of receiving red cards against Arsenal, with seven instances, second only to Liverpool (eight). Rosenior must ensure his players maintain composure, especially with a challenging schedule ahead.
Following the Arsenal match, Chelsea will face Aston Villa, Wrexham, PSG/Newcastle, Newcastle, PSG/Newcastle, Everton, Manchester City, and Manchester United leading into mid-April. This period is critical for Chelsea, and a loss against the league leaders could dampen morale, while a victory might spark a pivotal turnaround in their season.
Arsenal hold the upper hand in recent history
Mikel Arteta has only lost two of his sixteen encounters (10-4-2 W-D-L) against Chelsea as Arsenal’s manager, while Liam Rosenior’s two defeats in 12 matches (8-2-2 W-D-L) have come against the league leaders.
Although Arsenal drew 1-1 with ten-man Chelsea in their previous meeting this season, they have won their last three home games against Chelsea. Furthermore, Arsenal remains unbeaten in their last eight matches against Chelsea, marking their best streak against their London rivals since a 19-match unbeaten run from 1995 to 2005.
While the odds might suggest a positive outcome for Chelsea, Rosenior has demonstrated he can compete with Arteta, but Chelsea must elevate their performance to secure their first victory over Arsenal in nine attempts.
