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Arsenal will face Chelsea in another crucial London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, following their recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Mikel Arteta’s team rebounded from discussions of a potential title ‘wobble’ with a commanding 4-1 win against Spurs in Igor Tudor’s first match in charge. By the time Arsenal takes the field, they could see their lead over Manchester City reduced to two points, making a favorable outcome against Chelsea essential.
Liam Rosenior expressed disappointment after his team squandered leads against Leeds and Burnley, feeling they ‘set fire to four points.’ Chelsea’s position has slipped below Manchester United into fifth place, and they are in dire need of points to secure a UEFA Champions League spot while also aiming to disrupt Arsenal’s title ambitions.
The last encounter between the two sides was in the Carabao Cup semifinal, where Arsenal triumphed 4-2 on aggregate in two tightly contested matches.
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 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?
Arsenal’s recent 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur has restored their five-point lead over Manchester City, alleviating concerns regarding a potential slip in their title challenge. The team’s performance showcased a shift from their previous cautious approach, as they aggressively pursued additional goals after taking the lead.
Despite recent defensive vulnerabilities, a week’s rest may have allowed Arsenal to recover from the fatigue of a congested schedule. Their title challenge has relied on a solid defense and effective set-pieces, both of which have seen a decline recently. The ability to adapt their style of play could prove beneficial as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
How will Liam Rosenior set up tactically?
Liam Rosenior faced criticism for his tactical decisions during the second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal, where a defensive setup failed to yield results. With key players like Wesley Fofana suspended and Reece James uncertain, Rosenior may need to adopt a more balanced approach to maximize Chelsea’s attacking potential.
Despite generating the highest expected goals (xG) in the league, Chelsea has struggled to convert opportunities, and Rosenior will be hoping for a turnaround at the Emirates.
Viktor Gyökeres faces a test of his momentum
Viktor Gyökeres has been a standout performer for Arsenal this season, scoring 15 goals across all competitions. His recent display against Tottenham was particularly impressive, but he may face a tougher challenge against Chelsea’s more robust defensive lineup.
While Kai Havertz’s potential return could influence Arteta’s selection, Gyökeres’s current form makes him a strong candidate to lead the line against Chelsea.
Chelsea’s discipline and composure in spotlight ahead of tough run of fixtures
Chelsea has dropped 19 points from winning positions this season, highlighting issues with discipline and composure. With a challenging schedule ahead, including matches against Aston Villa and Manchester City, maintaining composure against Arsenal will be crucial for Rosenior’s squad.
Arsenal hold the upper hand in recent history
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has only lost two of their last sixteen encounters against Chelsea, with a strong record of three consecutive home wins against their rivals. Chelsea will need to elevate their performance to break a streak of eight games without a win against Arsenal.
As the two teams prepare for this highly anticipated clash, the stakes are high for both sides, with Arsenal aiming to solidify their title challenge and Chelsea seeking to regain momentum in their pursuit of a top-four finish.