Chelsea and Arsenal resume their rivalry at Stamford Bridge, with both sets of managers eager to stamp their authority in this fixture.
Chelsea and Arsenal’s rivalry goes way back in time. Since the Gunners last won the League, the Blues have had the upper hand. Graham Potter is new to this kind of game. The former Brighton boss will be eager to stamp his authority and follow the trend set by some of his predecessors.
He wants to improve Chelsea’s record in the recent fixtures with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are in an indifferent run of form, particularly after their gruelling defeat to Potter’s former side Brighton last weekend.
Next up, #CheArs… 👊
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 4, 2022
Potter will certainly take confidence from the midweek win over Dinamo Zagreb at home. Bruno Petkovic gave the visitors the lead, but goals from Raheem Sterling and debutant Denis Zakaria secured the points for Chelsea. The clash against league-leaders Arsenal is a different proposition. There could be ramifications in the event of a win or loss against the Gunners.
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta will be eager to continue their good form in the Premier League and keep the top spot. The last few games had produced mixed results for Arsenal, but the Gunners recovered from those on the domestic and European fronts.
After a disappointing draw with Southampton, the Gunners responded with a thumping 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest last Sunday. Similarly, after the loss to PSV, they secured a narrow win over FC Zurich to see through the Europa League group stages as winners.
Arteta will be solely focused on the task at hand against Chelsea. Incidentally, the Spanish manager is unbeaten at Stamford Bridge since taking over at Arsenal. The 4-2 win at the end of last season would be fresh in his memory, but currently, the Gunners may possess the better players to tackle Chelsea on Sunday.
Team News & Tactics
Chelsea
The media focuses on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang owing to his history with Arsenal. Potter pointed out the game is a team effort and somewhat took the attention away from the glamour of the Gabonese. With injuries, Potter continues to ride the rough road as the midweek clash resulted in another absentee.
We're all with you, @BenChilwell. 💙 pic.twitter.com/X7BvnBtsVP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 5, 2022
Ben Chilwell hobbled off the field with a nasty hamstring injury. That should put an end to his World Cup hopes. He joins Reece James in the treatment room alongside other vital stars.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will also remain absent until after the World Cup. Edouard Mendy will continue in goal on Sunday. Carney Chukwuemeka is also out of contention, but there was good news with Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian was rested in midweek as a precaution over a minor calf problem but is back in contention after resuming training.
It will be interesting to see whether Potter sticks with a back three or goes with a back four against Arsenal. It could be the former. Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, and one of Cesar Azpilicueta or Trevoh Chalobah will marshall the defence.
With injuries to both sets of full-backs, Potter will have Marc Cucurella on the left. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is best placed to play on the right. Kovacic and Jorginho look likely starters in midfield, while Potter might tinker with his starting front three.
Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount are somewhat guaranteed a place in the front three, but Potter will have to decide on Aubameyang and Kai Havertz. Sterling will lead the line if the latter starts, although the manager could prefer the former Arsenal striker upfront.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3) – Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly; Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Kovacic, Cucurella; Sterling, Aubameyang, Mount
Arsenal
The midweek win did come at some personnel cost for Arteta. Takehiro Tomiyasu left the pitch with a suspected hamstring injury. The full-back is likely out of contention for Chelsea, although Arsenal have plenty of options in the left-back position.
Kieran Tierney is the likely choice to play left-back. However, Oleksandr Zincheko has been training after missing over a month of action. He was on the bench in midweek, although there are questions marks whether Arteta would use him so soon against Chelsea.
Mohamed Elneny returned to action midweek and will be on the bench. Bukayo Saka allayed fears of injury by playing a cameo against Zurich and will be starting on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal will have an entire squad to rely upon for the fixture, and the team, barring those injury doubts, picks by itself.
Gabriel Martinelli, who got rested altogether against Zurich, will start on the left of the front three. Granit Xhaka will return after serving a European suspension and take up his advanced midfield role. Thomas Partey will hold the midfield for the Gunners.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won 11 of their last 13 matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have won four of the last five meetings with Chelsea in all competitions, including the last two visits to Stamford Bridge.
- Since becoming Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has never lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 9 home matches in the Premier League.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the 12th player to feature for both Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Jesus
This time tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/1aEinAOIoe
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 5, 2022
While the media’s attention is firmly placed on Aubameyang ahead of the clash, Gabriel Jesus will be keen to take the spotlight away with a good showing on the pitch. The Brazilian striker has been an excellent signing for Arsenal and will be eager to make a mark on such a big occasion.
Currently, the chatter focuses on the eight-game goal drought that Jesus is enduring. Many still need to include what the Brazilian brings apart from the goals. He registered two assists against Nottingham Forest and remained a force inside the box. As Arteta said, the striker remains frustrated by a lack of goals, which should pump him up to score at Stamford Bridge.
Prediction
Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
The Gunners are overwhelming favourites in such a massive clash of London giants. Never before in the last few years have Arsenal come into this fixture as ‘favourites,’ especially at Stamford Bridge. The circumstances have since tilted towards the north Londoners this season.
Potter is still trying to figure out the best possible system at Chelsea. The defeat to Brighton highlighted many chinks in their armour; something Arsenal will look to exploit. Moreover, injuries to key players are likely to play a big part, as the Gunners could take all three points at Stamford Bridge.
