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Arsenal is set to continue their impressive run following a North London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur, as they prepare to face Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s squad rebounded from concerns about a potential title ‘wobble’ with 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 critical.
Liam Rosenior expressed frustration after his team ‘set fire to four points’ by squandering leads against Leeds and Burnley in their last two matches. Chelsea has dropped to fifth place, trailing Manchester United, and they not only aim to disrupt Arsenal’s title ambitions but also need points to secure a UEFA Champions League spot.
The last encounter between these two teams was 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 will also be available on ESPN.
Key Details:
- Kick-off time: Sunday, March 01 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?
The 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur has solidified Arsenal’s lead over Manchester City to five points, alleviating concerns about Arteta’s team potentially faltering in the title race. Unlike their previous performance against Wolves, where they squandered a two-goal lead, Arsenal displayed a relentless attacking style, continuing to push for goals after taking the lead.
Despite recent defensive lapses, a week of rest may have allowed the team to recover from the fatigue of a packed schedule. Arsenal’s title challenge has been built on a strong defense and set-piece effectiveness, both of which have seen a dip recently. However, their ability to adapt to a more fluid style of play should ease some worries as they head into the final stretch of the season. With Manchester City in formidable form, Arsenal understands the need for precision moving forward.
How will Liam Rosenior set up tactically?
Criticism has been directed at Liam Rosenior for his tactics during the second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal, where he opted for a defensive setup despite needing a goal. This allowed Arsenal to exploit the situation late in the match.
While the aggregate score of 4-2 may not reflect the tightness of the contest, the atmosphere at the Emirates was tense for much of the game, a psychological edge Rosenior aimed to leverage. Chelsea thrives when attacking, so a more balanced approach could be beneficial.
With key players like Wesley Fofana suspended and Reece James and Estêvão doubtful, Rosenior’s decisions will be crucial. Chelsea has the highest expected goals (xG) in the league at 52.3 but has struggled to convert those chances, and Rosenior will be hoping for a turnaround at the Emirates.
Viktor Gyökeres faces a test of his momentum
With 15 goals across all competitions this season, Viktor Gyökeres has outperformed other summer signings. His recent performance against Tottenham was his best yet, showcasing his ability to dominate defenders. However, Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo present a tougher challenge than Spurs’ defense.
While Kai Havertz may return to fitness, Arteta might prefer a striker with better hold-up play over Gyökeres, despite the latter’s current form. Gyökeres has been in red-hot shape this year, contributing to a goal every 85.8 minutes, making a strong case for his continued selection.
Chelsea’s discipline and composure in the spotlight ahead of tough fixtures
Chelsea has dropped 19 points from winning positions this season, the second-worst record in the league. The team’s youth and lack of discipline have contributed to this issue, with eight red cards issued this season, the highest in the Premier League.
Facing Arsenal, a team they often struggle against, will require Chelsea to maintain composure. Following this match, they face a challenging schedule, including fixtures against Aston Villa, PSG, and Manchester United. A loss against Arsenal could dampen morale, while a victory could spark a crucial turnaround in their season.
Arsenal holds the upper hand in recent history
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has lost only two of their last sixteen matches against Chelsea, with a record of 10 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses. Although the teams drew 1-1 in their earlier encounter this season, Arsenal has won their last three home games against Chelsea and remains unbeaten in their last eight meetings. This is their best run against Chelsea since a streak of 19 matches without defeat from 1995 to 2005.
While the odds may suggest a potential positive outcome for Chelsea, Rosenior has shown he can compete with Arteta. However, Chelsea must elevate their performance to secure their first victory over Arsenal in nine attempts.
